An on-campus professional networking hub for interdisciplinary students interested in nuclear power deployment
The Nuclear Niche was built in response to our state and nation's coming nuclear workforce demand growth and the swell of interdisciplinary student interest in nuclear power's deployment across UT's campus. It stands as an on-campus professional networking hub for UT students of all disciplines to discuss business, legal, policy, and technology hurders to advanced nuclear deployment. We are co-sponsored by UT's Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program and the Kay Bailey Hutchingson Energy Center.
Why now?
Texas, alone, will require more than 10,000 skilled workers just to meet our state's announced nuclear power project demand as of September 2025. We will need folks from all majors and disciplines to meet this economic development opportunity and ensure resource adequace for Texans for the long hall.
Student Attendance
Typical student attendance is split evenly between technical and non-technical majors. Most of our students are studying business, policy, engineering, physical sciences, or law.
Programming & Events
We prefer to embrace a dialogue-approach with students and speakers, where students are encouraged to ask questions and build solutions to problems in partnership with industry leaders. We are happy to host speakers and panels in the following formats. We primarily host in-person meetings but do offer virtual sessions for out-of-towners.
- Keynote speaker with Q&A at general meetings- 1-1.5 hour event with one guest speaker (or one company represented) that delivers a 20-30 minute talk followed by 30-45 mintues of student-led Q&A.
- Recruiting fireside chat/ panel at general meetings- 1.5-2 hour event with multiple speakers and an event coordinator. This is the preferred format if your company is recruiting so you can discuss roles or functions your company is looking to fill during the panel and there's plenty of time for individual discussions with students after.
- Workshops and problem solving sessions- Have a question you'd like our students to help answer or a workshop you'd like to host that's relevant to a budding nuclear workforce? These events can be anywhere from 1-4 hours and are designed to help build student capacity through real problems, solutions, and training. They are typically planned at least 6 weeks in advance.
- Facility Tours- We love bringing students to see work in action. We typically schedule tours at least 2-4 weeks ahead of time depending on how far outside of Austin the facility is located.
- Kick off Interdisciplinary Nuclear Research Project- Nuclear and Radiation Engineering does a wide-variety of interdisciplinary nuclear research spanning from technoeconomics to policy and legal studies. Funding student research is an excellent way to invest in the workforce and begin building a high caliber pipeline for your company.
- Sponsored networking events- Typically at a location walkable from main campus, we'll help you choose a location and get the word out to prospective students.
- Don't see what you're envisionsing? Reach out. This is a group about learning, capacity building, and doing. We're open to creative ideas.
Event Logistics
Events are almost always held on UT Austin's main campus or the Pickle Research Center unless part of a facility tour. Industry representatives will have to pay for their lodging and travel to/ from UT Austin. Food and catering is occasionally provided based on the sponsor.
Next Steps
If you or your organization are interested in collaborating with the Nuclear Niche:
- Contact Dani Zigon by email at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let her know you're interested in participating in Nuclear Niche Events and what you have in mind. - Schedule a meeting to review your event details.
- Set a date for your event and begin marketing it to students.
- Know Before You Go will be sent to you at least a week before the event including an event itinerary and logistical details.
Gifts and Donations
The Nuclear Niche is a new student resource and building capacity. Some companies choose to make a donation to the group which enables us to enhance our students' experiences, cover meeting and catering costs, and support nuclear workforce development and outreach efforts across the state.
- Catering- Estimated costs incurred will depend on the event. Most meetings have 40+ students and typical costs for catering start at $15 per person.
- Gifts- Enable the Nuclear Niche to reach wider across campus, offer enhanced student experiences such as facility tours and conference attendance outside of Austin, build new programming such as nuclear entreprenurial contests, support state nuclear development and policy, and much more.
- Sponsored Research- Funding interdisciplinary nuclear research involves a selecting a topic/ question accretive to your business or organization and a commitment to cover students' costs over the cost of the project while working towards a graduate degree.
