INTERNSHIP DETAILS

Engineering of material for control rods of the BR2 reactor_Part 1

CompanySCK CEN
LocationBelgium
Work ModeOn Site
PostedSeptember 25, 2026
Internship Information
Core Responsibilities
The candidate will characterize the correlation between material microstructure and magnetic properties for control rod electromagnets. They will also establish thermomechanical processing methods to produce additional material for future maintenance.
Internship Type
full time
Company Size
888
Visa Sponsorship
No
Language
English
Working Hours
40 hours
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About The Company
Do not underestimate the power of atoms: nuclear applications can make a great difference for society both now and in the future. This is why as one of the biggest research centres in Belgium we continue to perform groundbreaking research. SCK CEN is a global leader in the field of nuclear research, services and education. With more than 900 employees, throughout all of our work, we are focusing on 6 research topics: • Health • Environment • Society • Materials • Technology • Safety These are our building blocks for developing innovative applications for society. In this way, we want to contribute to a world in which these and future generations can live safely and in good health.
About the Role

The BR2 reactor is a unique infrastructure, providing SCKCEN with the capability to do technological experiments on reactor materials and fuels as well as to secure an important part of the global supply of radio-isotopes.  In order to provide a safe and reliable operation, its critical structures, systems and components are managed in order to mitigate the effects of ageing on their physical and economic life-time.  For the control of reactivity of the core and compensation of the significant fuel burn up during the reactor operation, the BR2 operates with up to 10 control rods loaded in the core.  In order to support the maintenance of these rods, sufficient spare parts and mechanisms need to be available.

A critical part of the control rod mechanism is the electromagnet, coupling the absorbing mechanism of the control rod to the driving mechanism that allows to raise and move the rod to start and operate the reactor.  These electromagnets are fabricated of a material with strictly specified magnetic properties.  As the historic stock of this material is limited, this thesis aims at characterizing in detail the correlation between the microstructure of the material and the properties.  With this result, the thermomechanical processing to produce additional material shall be established in the future.

Topic possible for two BNEN master thesis in parallel

Key Skills
Material ScienceMicrostructure CharacterizationThermomechanical ProcessingNuclear EngineeringReactor MaterialsMagnetic Properties AnalysisResearch Methodology
Categories
Science & ResearchEngineeringEnergy