ANS is committed to advancing, fostering, and promoting the development and application of nuclear sciences and technologies to benefit society.
Explore the many uses for nuclear science and its impact on energy, the environment, healthcare, food, and more.
Division Spotlight
Nuclear Criticality Safety
NCSD provides communication among nuclear criticality safety professionals through the development of standards, the evolution of training methods and materials, the presentation of technical data and procedures, and the creation of specialty publications. In these ways, the division furthers the exchange of technical information on nuclear criticality safety with the ultimate goal of promoting the safe handling of fissionable materials outside reactors.
Meeting Spotlight
ANS Student Conference 2025
April 3–5, 2025
Albuquerque, NM|The University of New Mexico
Standards Program
The Standards Committee is responsible for the development and maintenance of voluntary consensus standards that address the design, analysis, and operation of components, systems, and facilities related to the application of nuclear science and technology. Find out What’s New, check out the Standards Store, or Get Involved today!
Latest Magazine Issues
Feb 2025
Jul 2024
Latest Journal Issues
Nuclear Science and Engineering
March 2025
Nuclear Technology
Fusion Science and Technology
February 2025
Latest News
Colin Judge: Testing structural materials in Idaho’s newest hot cell facility
Idaho National Laboratory’s newest facility—the Sample Preparation Laboratory (SPL)—sits across the road from the Hot Fuel Examination Facility (HFEF), which started operating in 1975. SPL will host the first new hot cells at INL’s Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC) in 50 years, giving INL researchers and partners new flexibility to test the structural properties of irradiated materials fresh from the Advanced Test Reactor (ATR) or from a partner’s facility.
Materials meant to withstand extreme conditions in fission or fusion power plants must be tested under similar conditions and pushed past their breaking points so performance and limitations can be understood and improved. Once irradiated, materials samples can be cut down to size in SPL and packaged for testing in other facilities at INL or other national laboratories, commercial labs, or universities. But they can also be subjected to extreme thermal or corrosive conditions and mechanical testing right in SPL, explains Colin Judge, who, as INL’s division director for nuclear materials performance, oversees SPL and other facilities at the MFC.
SPL won’t go “hot” until January 2026, but Judge spoke with NN staff writer Susan Gallier about its capabilities as his team was moving instruments into the new facility.
The nuclear workforce is growing, and ANS is working to ensure we can meet the needs of the evolving fields of nuclear science and technology. Learn about the exciting and varied career paths available through resources including classroom visits with ANS members, career profiles, and online interviews with nuclear professionals.
Sign up for news of upcoming Pathways to Nuclear webinars and other events.
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See yourself in a nuclear career and learn how to get there! Check out these interviews and profiles of nuclear researchers, nuclear science and technology professionals, and trade and craftspeople making a positive impact on the world.
Highlighting Women in Trade and Craft CareersJennifer Jackson (Idaho National Laboratory) and Abigail Bowman (Savannah River Nuclear Solutions) discussed trade careers in nuclear and Department of Energy, Office of Nuclear Energy training and internship programs. We also heard from graduates of those programs—women working in nuclear trades right now.
See It, Be It: Sail Into a Career in Nuclear!Military service can provide a proven pathway to careers in nuclear science and technology. This event featured speakers from diverse backgrounds discussing their career goals and United States Navy experience.
See It, Be It: Pathways to Nuclear Careers
An expert panel including representatives from government, corporate, and military organizations provided an overview of the range of careers offered in nuclear science and technology.
Life Sciences
Nuclear science provides unique solutions to problems in life sciences. Hear Katherina Stapelmann, assistant professor of nuclear engineering at North Carolina State University, discuss her research with plasmas and career in nuclear.
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy provides clean, reliable electricity available around the clock. Sarah Camba Lynn, an engineering manager at Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant in Glen Rose, TX, talked about her work in nuclear energy.
New Nuclear Technologies
Marci Shelton, a senior nuclear engineer at SHINE Technologies LLC currently works on producing radioisotopes for applications in medicine, such as cancer therapy and imaging. She talked about her work with SHINE and her background in the nuclear industry.
Deep Space
Space colonies will need electricity--and lots of it. Patrick McClure, Chief Operating Officer of Space Nuclear Power Group (SpaceNukes), chatted about his career in nuclear science and Space Nukes' innovative power solutions for exploration and colonization.
See It, Be It webinars were made possible by a generous grant from Constellation.
Radiochemist, Fuels Reliability Engineer, Professor...these are just a few of the titles that represent unexpected pathways and disciplines you might not think of when you think nuclear science. Read about what it's like to keep the nation's nuclear materials safe, develop medical breakthroughs, and help generate clean energy.
You don’t need a lab coat or a calculator to work in nuclear science and technology. In nuclear, you can find rewarding, meaningful work no matter your background or interests. There are jobs for people with certifications and high school diplomas as well as college degrees of all levels, from associate to Ph.D. Download our nuclear careers brochure to learn more.
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Last modified April 12, 2024, 1:03pm CDT
