Energy production

Design and maintain systems that generate carbon-free electricity using nuclear fission. Oregon State graduates work in commercial nuclear power plants and advanced reactor development companies, helping to meet global energy demand with safe, reliable, and sustainable power. 

Radiation protection and health physics

Ensure that radiation is used safely in healthcare, research, and industry. For example, Oregon State alumni have gone on to become health physicists in hospitals and national labs, protecting workers and patients while supporting lifesaving medical treatments.

Reactor operations

Operate and manage research and power reactors. Oregon State’s TRIGA reactor provides students with a rare hands-on experience that prepares them for careers as reactor operators and nuclear system analysts in energy and research facilities.

Alumna Madicken Munk went from a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering from Oregon State to earning graduate degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. She then returned to Oregon State, this time as an assistant professor. Madicken explores computational methods for radiation transport. 

National security and nonproliferation

Develop and implement technologies to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and detect illicit nuclear materials. At Oregon State, faculty like Hoaori Yang, associate professor of nuclear engineering, are developing cutting-edge technologies — including robotics — to safeguard against radioactive threats.

Our graduates contribute to national and global security efforts through roles at government agencies and defense contractors. For example, alumna Lily Ranjbar conducted graduate research in Professor Abi Farsoni’s lab, where she helped design and build radioxenon detection systems used to monitor nuclear weapons testing.

Advanced materials

Design and test materials that can withstand extreme environments inside reactors. With a focus area in nuclear materials, students at Oregon State learn how to improve the safety and efficiency of next-generation reactors through advancements in materials science.

For example, recent graduate student Tzu-Yi Chang studied the material property of creep, a type of deformation that increases with time as the material structure changes under mechanical stress and rising temperatures. Because creep reduces the life of nuclear fuel, understanding this phenomenon better could lead to ways to improve the nuclear fuel cycle.

Environmental and regulatory oversight

Support public health and environmental protection by monitoring and managing radiation risks. Oregon State alumni are prepared to work in regulatory agencies, ensuring nuclear technologies are used safely and responsibly.

Oregon State alumna Julie Bentz has served at the White House under three presidents and has a long career of experience mitigating nuclear hazards. 

Computational modeling and simulation

Translate theory into practice by harnessing the power of supercomputers and computational methods. Take Kayla Clements, who graduated with a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering and developed software to advance neutron transport capabilities.

A degree in nuclear engineering opens doors to a wide range of impactful careers — from clean energy and national security to cutting-edge research and healthcare. Still weighing your options? Dive deeper into what nuclear engineers actually do through real-world examples, or discover why demand for nuclear engineers continues to grow.