1. Apply for a PhD or post-doc position at SCK•CEN
Information, eligibility & practical guidelines
Update: nationalities, # PhDs, preferences
Update Griet

2. in a nutshell Belgian Nuclear Research Centre
Research on peaceful applications of ionizing radiation
Located in Mol, Belgium

3. Innovative and pioneering research
Unique and advanced experimental facilities

4. Internationally renowned nuclear research
About 700 collaborators and 70 PhD students
41 different nationalities

5. mission http://academy.sckcen.be
In the interests of maintaining a competent workforce in industry, healthcare, research and policy, and of transferring nuclear knowledge to the next generations, the SCK•CEN Academy takes it as its mission to:
provide guidance for young researchers (internships, thesiswork, …)
organize academic courses and customized training for professionals
offer policy support with regard to education and training matters
care for critical-intellectual capacities for society

6. Why choose SCK•CEN for your PhD or post-doc research?
: enjoy an internationally recognized research centre and stay in close contact with the academic world
: profit from exchanges with your colleagues in other nuclear domains
Get the best of both worlds
Multidisciplinary research
The ideal kickstart for your career

7. How to prepare your application?1
Check your eligibility!
You are eligible for performing a PhD or post-doc at SCK•CEN when:
You are excluded from R&D topics related to the nuclear fuel cycle if:
you are a citizen of one of the States who did not sign/ratify the Non Proliferation Treaty (
For PhD’s
For post-docs
you obtained your Master degree (or equivalent) with at least distinction in the final year
the period between being awarded your Master degree and the planned starting date of the PhD does not exceed 5 years
the period between being award your PhD degree and the planned starting date of the post-doc research does not exceed 3 years

8. How to prepare your application?2
Choose a topic out of the list, published on
and start your online application via “apply here”

9. How to prepare your application?3
Contact the SCK•CEN mentor, he/she will
give you more information on the topic
bring you in contact with the university promoter (in case of PhD)
provide you all necessary information to develop a high-quality application

10. How to prepare your application?4
Gather reference letters
For PhD’s
For post-docs
2 reference letters from scientific collaborators of a university or scientific institute
One reference letter must come from the final-year university Master thesis supervisor. In case this person is the same as the PhD promoter, another referee should be chosen
A third reference letter comes from the university promoter of the PhD thesis
(3 in total)
(2 in total)

11. How to prepare your application?4
Gather reference letters
Ask early enough and aim high enough
Ask someone you actually know
Ask someone who actually knows you
Use the SCK•CEN Academy templates (available online)
Letters must be duly signed

12. How to prepare your application?5
Gather other documents
Scan of diploma(s)
Scan of passport or identity card
Publication list
Motivation letter

13. How to prepare your application?6
A final check
Please use the checklist on the SCK•CEN Academy website
Complete ALL fields in the online application form (use intermediate save if necessary)
Attach ALL requested documents
SUBMIT your application within the deadline!

14. Evaluation procedure Selection on file
Phase 1
Selection on file
Evaluation criteria: reference letters, student grades, completeness of the file, motivation, etc.
You will be notified by about the result of phase 1
Oral presentation when phase 1 is successful
You will receive an invitation by for an interview
Dates for the oral presentations are announced well in advance in the section “Timing” on
Dates for the results are published following the section “Timing” on
Phase 2

15. The oral presentation
Will be held at the SCK•CEN Lakehouse, Boeretang 201, 2400 Mol, Belgium
Web conferencing is possible in case you cannot be present in Mol
SCK•CEN does not foresee a reimbursement of travel or accommodation costs
The SCK•CEN mentor and university promoter are present but will not help you with the questions during the interview

16. Good luck
More information: