Not with nuclear; everything nuclear-related is very tightly controlled by the government, given the nature of the materials we work with (radiation monitoring is vital and it's important the standards for monitoring and handling be met). I've worked 4 months in a nuclear power plant and enjoyed it, but I want to do more research instead of just doing procedures to make sure the reactor is operating properly. I'm hoping to do some research at my uni this summer with a professor to get a feel for that sort of path and understand the dynamics of working in a university versus industry. Generally, the utilities and government are backing nuclear research because it's going to produce much more efficient fission technology, which would mean less money loss in an operating plant (current nuclear plants are only about 33% efficient. Labs are working to increase that percentage and some new reactors are extremely promising in having an even higher percentage), so there is funding from corporations because ultimately it would save the corporations more money.