Industrial companies need engineers not only for operations and design, but also for research and innovation. Students who decide to do a PhD after IFCEN can thus develop their own creativity, find a job in innovative fields or pursue an academic career.
The IFCEN Research Track Program (RTP) has been conceived to help students who want to do a PhD in their application process and research activity.
Students joining the IFCEN Research Track Program are expected to distinguish themselves with scientific achievements besides their academic records, and publish innovative papers in scientific journals.
Research Track Program
The Research Track Program takes place during semesters 10, 11 and 12. Students following the program still attend regular classes at IFCEN. The workload is designed in order not to affect their normal studies. RTP students work on properly selected research topics and can choose a research subject from any of the following fields:
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Neutronics,
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Thermal-hydraulics, 2-phase fluid mechanics,
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Reactor core physics,
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Safety & System studies,
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Materials and structural mechanics,
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Corrosion & material chemistry,
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Nuclear waste conditioning & management,
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Radionuclides behaviour in the geological sphere,
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Fuel cladding,
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Fuel processing and reprocessing.
Students are overseen by qualified supervisors, who help them:
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Publish their research results,
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Find suitable internships,
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Apply for admission to PhD studies and scholarships.
In order to do a PhD thesis, students need financial support from either:
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The China Scholarship Council (CSC) for a PhD abroad,
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IFCEN partners in France,
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Sun Yat-sen University,
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Other institutions and universities.
Since the program was launched, as many as 16 students from Y2010 and 18 students from Y2011 joined the Research Track. Twelve alumni from Y2010 are currently doing a PhD in France, five of them thanks to a CSC scholarship, seven through various French scholarships.
Théo LI Yang
Alumni, enrolled at IFCEN in 2010
The Research Track Program has helped me develop my interest in research. When I started, I was invited to the World Nuclear Exhibition in Paris where I met my supervisor. The RTP has also provided me with two excellent internships. My first internship was in the material laboratory at IFCEN and lasted three months, during which I made two publications and one patent. My second internship was also in a material laboratory, but it was in the CEA Saclay.
The Research Track Program has also helped me apply for a PhD; I am currently studying Dislocation Dynamics (DD) simulations in CEA Saclay. Thanks to the RTP, I am more familiar with a searcher's world, and I find it is easier for me to be invested in more “routine” studies.
Raphaël CHEN Youbin
PhD student in France
I joined the Research Track Program during my fifth year at IFCEN. I wanted to make sure that I had a real potential for research. In the labs of our institute, I investigated my research topics alone as well as under IFCEN supervision, and worked with French experts from EDF. I believe the RTP is a very good preparation for a PhD.
I am now a PhD student in France, working for EDF. I fully realize the importance of innovation and teamwork in the industry. My French colleagues and myself often discuss our research plans as a team and I find it very useful.