Also called: Radioisotope Scientist
Makes rare radioactive isotopes in reactors and accelerators for cancer treatment, research and industry.
You plan which targets go into a reactor or beam, then process the "hot" material behind thick shielding to pull out a few micrograms of a valuable isotope. Shipments go to hospitals and labs on tight schedules because some isotopes decay within days.
Most jobs are at Department of Energy national labs such as Oak Ridge and Brookhaven.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in nuclear chemistry, physics or nuclear engineering.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, Physics.
Growing faster than average. Demand for medical isotopes is rising; small field.
Low risk for 10 years. Making medical isotopes behind shielding on tight schedules is hands-on work with rising demand.
Classes: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Calculus.
Official data: O*NET occupation 19-2012.
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