By Tom Clarijs – The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN in Mol is one of the largest research institutions in Belgium and is renowned worldwide for its extensive expertise in peaceful applications of ionising radiation. The SCK CEN Academy provides opportunities for Bachelor and Master students, PhD candidates and any professional interested in enriching his or her nuclear competences.

The Belgian Nuclear Research Centre SCK CEN in Mol is one of the largest research institutions in Belgium and is renowned worldwide for its extensive expertise in peaceful applications of ionizing radiation. With its pioneering role and its unique state of the art nuclear experimental facilities, SCK CEN performs breakthrough research in a wide spectrum of topics such as innovative nuclear systems, medical applications, sustainable waste & decommissioning, etc...

Within the SCK CEN Academy, all nuclear expertise and experience gained from our different research projects is collected and transferred. In the interest of maintaining a competent workforce in industry, healthcare, research, and policy organisations, and of transferring nuclear knowledge to the next generations, the SCK CEN Academy takes it as its mission to:

• reach out to pupils, their teachers and the public;
• provide guidance for students (Bachelor, Master and PhD level) and junior researchers;
• contribute to academic courses for students and organise customised training for professionals;
• offer policy support with regard to E&T matters;
• care for critical-intellectual capacities for society.

Guidance for junior researchers

The SCK CEN Academy provides opportunities for Bachelor and Master students, PhD candidates and any professional interested in enriching his or her nuclear competences. About 100 Bachelor and Master students perform an internship or prepare their thesis at SCK CEN on an annual basis. Presently, also about 90 PhD students from numerous countries prepare their thesis at our laboratories.

Applications for current PhD topics are in full swing, including topics relevant to the PRISMAP community. Deadline for application is March 23, 2023.

Education and training

The SCK CEN Academy works together with several Belgian and foreign universities and contributes to academic education. We also offer customised training courses to develop and improve the nuclear competences of employees working in the nuclear industry, the medical sector, research organisations and public authorities engaged in radioactive applications. Within the course programmes, lectures and practical sessions are complemented with visits to several nuclear laboratories and research reactors. These technical visits enable trainees to enrich and illustrate their acquired knowledge with the practice of real-life situations.

The PRISMAP training course on translational research of radiopharmaceuticals will be organised from 20 until 24 March 2023, including topics on the radiobiological, radiochemical and dosimetric aspects of radiopharmaceuticals. Technical visits related to the research of radiopharmaceuticals are foreseen.

Curious about the available research topics and training opportunities? Visit our website on www.sckcen.be/academy, sign up for our newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn.