Specializing Master on Nuclear Safeguards
Specializing master program
Nuclear Safeguards
A cross divisional training path for the global context
The organizers
European high level institutions for Nuclear Safeguard
The aim
The Specializing Master course on Nuclear Safeguards gives the opportunity to train and develop the competences of employees in order to enhance the efficiency of their actions in the field of nuclear safeguards and support the continuous development of a professional, competent and motivated workforce.
This attitude contributes directly to both the national nuclear safety and the implementation of the countries’ safeguards obligations under relevant agreements.
The context
The nuclear safeguards system is a key element of the international regime of the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons. Over decades it has evolved into a multifaceted set of legal and technical measures aimed at verifying the compliance of States with their non-proliferation commitments in the nuclear sector.
The need for training
The outcome
The Specializing Master will be organized as a cross-divisional training path, involving political science-forensics-nuclear scientific and technological areas, aimed to form key figures ready to be involved in the nuclear safeguards sector.
Period
October 2021 – October 2022
Location
Italy – Politecnico di Milano, JRC Ispra
Europe – Labs to be defined
Language
English
Target
Professionals and officials, with and without nuclear background, from national organisations, public organisations, R&D centres, industries.
Awarded title
I level Specializing Master on Nuclear Safeguards’ Degree
The Specializing Master is characterized by 60 ECTS with a final formal certification.
Blended format
8 months of online modules;
5/6 Weeks of in-presence labs;
3 months of project work.
Didactic modules
Online modules
composed by digital contents (videos, quiz, additional materials), webinars, group activities
In-presence labs
held at Politecnico di Milano, JRC Labs in Italy and Europe and other European Labs which are part of the ENEN network
Project work
offers the opportunity to synthesise the knowledge acquired and critically apply it
- 01. Introduction and basics
- Nuclear technologies
- Legal framework
- Soft Skills
- 02. History of non-proliferation and safeguards
- History and Policy of Nuclear dual-use
- EURATOM and IAEA Safeguards in the International Relations
- Historical making of Proliferation risks and Non-Proliferation policies
- 03. National and International legal frameworks
- Basics of Non Proliferation Treaty
- Comprehensive Safeguards Agreement
- State regulators, State’s role, rights and responsibilities
- 04. Fuel cycle and non-proliferation
Elements of the fuel cycle: Mining, Conversion, Enrichment, Fuel fabrication, Reactors, Reprocessing, Waste Disposal, Aspects of Weaponisation, Physical Model/Pathway analysis - 05. Nuclear material accountancy and mathematical methods for nuclear safeguards
- Facility Attachments and Euratom safeguards regulation
- Nuclear material accountancy concepts
- Analytical methods and game theoretical concepts
- Basic Labs
2 weeks of experimental activities and visits - 06. Methodology for implementation of safeguards
- Legal basis for nuclear material safeguards
- Tools to verify nuclear material accounts
- Political and legal options of inspectorates to apply sanctions in case of violations
- 07. Destructive analysis
- Destructive Assay (DA) techniques
- Practical exercises with detectors currently approved for safeguards inspections
- 08. Non-destructive measurements
- Non-Destructive Assays (NDA) used for the measurement of nuclear material
- Introduction on the basic principles of NDA techniques
- 09. Verification and monitoring techniques incl. containment and surveillance
- Design Information Verification
- Process monitoring approaches
- Sealing technologies
- 10. Export control
- Main principles ruling nuclear trade control
- Analysis of international and regional legally and politically instruments
- General principles of international trade
- 11. Nuclear security
- Locations and use of nuclear and radiological materials
- Risks of misuse of nuclear and radiological materials
- Basics of physical protection, detection technologies and nuclear forensics analysis
- Advanced Labs
3/4 weeks of training on the job - 12. Future challenges in safeguards
Novel technologies, approaches and methodologies - Project work
Individual work or in pairs, resume and deepen the work done during the Advanced Labs
Program & deadlines
Calendar
The Specializing Master has a duration of around 12 months, from October 2021 to October 2022.
Download the full calendarTiming
- April 15th, 2021
Application opening - June 15th, 2021
Application deadline - June 16th, 2021
Start of the selection phase
- June 30th, 2021
Communication of admission - October 14th, 2021
Specializing Master opening event - From October 2021 to October 2022
Specializing Master didactic activities
Scientific committee
Eligibility and admission
You need to download the application module, compile it and send it to master-nuclearsafeguards@polimi.it before June 15th, 2021. You need to attach the following documents:
- degree certificate with ECTS or Diploma Supplement (it is required to have a Bachelor degree in one of the following: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Law, Economics and Political Science);
- CV in European format;
- ID document;
- motivation letter;
- [optional] English knowledge certification for at least the B2 level (you can also self-certify it);
- [optional] support letter from Government, Institution, Foundation, Professor.
All the candidates will be evaluated on:
- CV in European format;
- motivation letter;
- Bachelor specialization (plus if nuclear specialized or if nuclear topics are included);
- working field (plus if nuclear);
- support letter from Government, Institution, Foundation, Professor.
Yes, you will not need to travel to apply.
If you are admitted, you will follow the didactic modules online; your presence will be required only when the Labs take place (Basic Labs in February 2022, Italy – Politecnico di Milano, JRC Ispra; Advanced Labs in June 2022, European Labs to be defined).
This is a financially supported Specializing Master for EXTRA EU and INSC (Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation) Countries originated students/trainees. So, if you come from an EXTRA EU country, you may obtain one of the 10 scholarships fully funded by ENEN.
Other students may obtain one of the 10 partial scholarships provided by POLIMI.
The Master fees are:
- 14500 € of enrolment fee;
- 500 € of tax fee.
We are envisaging a weekly workload from 12 to 20 hours.
There will be synchronous and asynchronous teaching activities. For each week you'll have to:
- watch and study online materials (whenever you prefer),
- attend around 2 webinars (1,5 hour synchronous with teachers and other students) generally in the afternoon (Monday-Friday, 14/16 pm)
- perform a small activity with other students (discussion, project work, etc..)
Apply now
The only requirement is to have a bachelor degree in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, Law, Economics and Political and Legal Science.
A nuclear specialized Bachelor or nuclear topics at the Bachelor level, as well as working in nuclear field, are considered as a plus.
It is recommended that you have a B2 level of English knowledge. You can also self-certify it.