Courses and Career Prospects of Nuclear Science

Opt for science with physics and maths at the plus-two level. To get into Delhi University's M.Tech programme in nuclear science and technology, you should have a Bachelor's degree with physics for at least two years/ four semesters and maths for at least a year/ two semester. Moreover, you need to clear the Joint Admission test for M.Sc (JAM).

More details on http://jam.iitkgp.ac.in.

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) holds an all-India entrance test for an orientation course for engineering graduates and science postgraduates (OCES) as well as a two-year DAE Graduate Fellowship Scheme for engineering graduates and physics post-graduates (DGFS).

More at http://www.barc.ernet.in/webpages/hrd/info_table.html.

Depending on merit and choice, some finalists join BARC for research at places such as Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology and Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research. Those wishing to get into commercial nuclear technology, opt for power plants like NPCIL. NPCIL selects candidates through: GATE score plus interview and medical examination, or In case of no GATE score, written (BARC's common) and other tests.

Skills

• Scientific temperament Interest in experimental work; manual tasks
• Analytical ability
• Tech savvy
• Quantitative skills (good background in maths)
• Stamina

Career Options

• Entry level nuclear plant engineer
• Senior nuclear plant engineer
• Instrumentation and Control officer (nuclear plant)
• Radiation Technician
• Reactor operator
• Nuclear scientist

Payoff

Training: Rs.15000 a month + Rs.5000 (stipend for OCES 2009 trainees as well as DGFS fellows during training and a one-time book allowance, respectively). Rs 15600-39100 with a grade pay of Rs.5400: Entry-level pay for Scientific Officer (C). The government pays 20 per cent over and above the government scale exclusively to nuclear scientists. Those posted at the site receive 10 per cent extra pay, and soft loans to buy household items, computer etc. NPCIL also provides resources and benefits like accommodation, transport facility, etc


Important Facts

• It's exciting to work on a nuclear reactor
• Indirectly, you can help in national development
• Foreign job options
• Risk of overexposure to radioactive material, though it's reduced if you take precautions
• You might be posted at a plant in a faraway place