Automated High-Throughput Scattering Instrumentation

Closing date: Monday 2 December 2024

Project Description

We have recently purchased a state-of-the-art small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) instrument, which enables us to study the structure of a range of materials on the nanoscale. We would like the student to install & test a piece of equipment to enable us to automate measurement of samples.

This internship requires the intern to work in a radioactive area.


Industry: Nuclear Science Technology

Study area: Environmental & Biological Science, Physics

Partner: ANSTO

Suburb: Lucas Heights, NSW

Why:

ANSTO are partners to the LIFT Project, funded by ANSTO and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship (WISE) program.

LIFT is designed to offer women in STEM a portfolio of skills and opportunities, including industry engagement, entrepreneurship, leadership and community outreach.


Paid

Yes

Selection Criteria

If you're a postgraduate research student who identifies as a woman, are studying a STEM FoR code and meet some or all the below we want to hear from you. We strongly encourage women, Indigenous and disadvantaged candidates to apply.

The intern will gain hands-on experience with high end scientific equipment. We can tailor the internship to focus more on any of the specific points below, depending on the candidate’s interests:

Operating and optimising advanced X-ray scattering instrumentation, including troubleshooting

  • Automating laboratory measurement processes
  • Sample preparation
  • Integrating hardware and software for instrument control

Research Outcomes

Expected Milestones

Month one

  • Training on the SAXS instrument, laboratory procedures.
  • Physically mount the auto-sample loader and ensure communications to control software.

Month two

  • Sample preparation for test samples.
  • Collecting test data sets using automated system, optimising collections.

Month three

  • Analysing data and benchmarking against previous measurements.
  • Documenting procedures & user guides.

Other Information

The intern will receive $3,000 per month of the internship, usually in the form of scholarship payments, supported by the LIFT Project.

The intern is expected to undertake the iAccelerate Activate entrepreneurial training, the LIFT values and leadership retreat and community outreach as a condition of their scholarship. This may be asynchronous with their internship.

The intern will need to comply with ANSTO security clearance protocols, which can take 8-10 weeks once submitted. This should be factored into planning the internship commencement.

It is expected that the intern will primarily undertake this research project during regular business hours and maintain contact with their academic mentor throughout the internship either through face-to-face or phone meetings as appropriate.

The intern and their academic mentor will have the opportunity to negotiate the project’s scope, milestones and timeline during the project planning stage.

Please note, applications are reviewed regularly and this internship may be filled prior to the advertised closing date if a suitable applicant is identified.

Early submissions are encouraged. Please submit your expression of interest from the link provided.

Duration

12 weeks full-time or 6 months part time, noting Wednesdays are to be kept free during iAccelerate's Activate session

Reference

ANSTO-Wood-001

Application closing date

Monday 2 December 2024

Contact information

Georgia Watson, UOW LIFT Project Coordinator

lift-project@uow.edu.au