Nature of Work
Nuclear Engineering – Nuclear Engineering is the application of the breakdown of atomic nuclei and/or other sub-atomic physics, based on the principles of nuclear physics. The field also includes the study of nuclear fusion, medical and other applications of (generally ionizing) radiation, nuclear safety, heat/thermodynamics transport, nuclear fuel and/or other related (e.g., waste disposal) technology, nuclear proliferation, and the effect of radioactive waste or radioactivity in the environment.
Nuclear Engineers often work as members of project teams, which combine the skills of Scientists, Engineers, and Technicians to solve complex problems. Nuclear engineering projects may involve design and construction of nuclear reactors and power plants, development and production of weapons, evaluation of environmental and ecological Research, health physics, or industrial safety. Nuclear Engineers also direct and monitor the operation of nuclear power plants to ensure efficiency and conformity to safety standards.
Nuclear Engineers use mathematics, economics, and engineering principles to help solve problems. They often use computers and simulation techniques in problem analysis. They must apply nuclear safety regulations in all phases of their work.
Nuclear Engineers may perform administrative duties, direct projects, supervise other workers, and prepare budgets. Others may work as sales representatives, teach, do consulting work, and serve on governmental commissions. They must keep themselves informed of new developments and changes in the nuclear field by independent study and Research, and by reading technical journals.
Market Scenario
Nuclear engineers are expected to have employment growth of 7 percent over the projections decade. Most job growth will be in research and development and engineering services nuclear engineers will be needed to operate existing plants and design new ones, including researching future nuclear power sources. They also will be needed to work in defense-related areas, to develop nuclear medical technology, and to improve and enforce waste management and safety standards. Nuclear engineers are expected to have good employment opportunities because the small number of nuclear engineering graduates is likely to be in rough balance with the number of job openings.
Nuclear Engineers are employed in governmental agencies, academic and industrial Research centers, nuclear power plants, military installations, industrial manufacturing plants, and in private corporations servicing these sectors.
Within India:
Nuclear Engineering is considered to be highly intellectually challenging, exciting and vigorous discipline having variety of applications. Nuclear Engineering has emerged as an important discipline and world is looking towards it, as a promising candidate for the energy and other fields such as medical applications. The research in fission and fusion is growing with new efforts towards the development of advance technologies.
The employment opportunities for the graduating students are in Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the private sector. The strong flavor of computational skills results in, and not surprisingly, some students joining the leading software companies. In the past four years, there is a resurgence of interest in pursuing higher studies. There is a very strong interaction of National Educational Testing (NET) with the DAE. The scientists from BARC visit regularly for participating in the courses related to nuclear power plants. The mechanical and the nuclear engineering groups have received considerable amount of funding in form of sponsored projects in the area of nuclear power reactor safety analysis.
Overseas:
Nuclear Engineering is considered to be highly intellectually challenging, exciting and vigorous discipline having variety of applications. The research in fission and fusion is growing with new efforts towards the development of advance technologies. There is a global need to tap the nuclear energy resources and hence nuclear engineers are in great demand all over the world.
