European MSc Students join IPFN for fusion research internships
Eight Master’s students specialising in Nuclear Engineering from five French and Italian institutions have joined the Engineering and Systems Integration Group (GESI) at IPFN for four-month research internships. Over the coming months, they will work alongside GESI researchers on projects that contribute to the development of next-generation nuclear fusion technologies.
“We are very pleased to once again welcome an international group of Master’s students to GESI. It has been truly inspiring to see how enriching and successful this experience has been for them,” says Bruno Gonçalves, President of IPFN.
Supervised by researchers Alberto Vale, Raul Luís, Diogo Rechena, and PhD student Gonçalo Teixeira, the students are involved in projects related to the future ITER and DEMO reactors, focusing on the integration of diagnostic systems in high-radiation environments.
The group’s cultural and academic diversity has proven to be a valuable asset. Juliette Lecompte, a French student from Grenoble INP – Phelma, shares: “This is my first experience in a research laboratory, and it has been extremely enriching. From the very beginning, I felt welcomed by the team, and the collaborative atmosphere allows us to learn together and share the challenges of our projects.” She also highlights the opportunity to develop essential professional skills, such as analysing and interpreting scientific reports, solving complex problems, and using computational tools.
Throughout the internship, “students will learn the basics of Monte Carlo modelling, finite-element analysis, and robotic manipulation applied to nuclear fusion environments where radiation levels exceed those of current facilities by several orders of magnitude,” explains Raul Luís, IPFN researcher. “Their strong motivation to join our team and their background in nuclear engineering made them ideal candidates for these internship positions,” he adds.
Driven by a strong interest in the intersection of engineering and fusion energy, Alessandro Guerra, a student at Università di Napoli Federico II, chose to join IPFN to gain experience in a dynamic and innovative international environment. “I am excited to contribute my knowledge of mechatronic systems and work with cutting-edge technologies. This experience is helping me grow both personally and professionally,” Alessandro affirms.
This initiative reinforces IPFN’s commitment to training new generations of researchers and strengthening international cooperation in the field of nuclear fusion, paving the way for more sustainable energy technologies.
