czech technical University

What you'll study

The doctoral programme is primarily research-led and culminates in a defended doctoral dissertation. Students undertake an individual research project under the guidance of a supervisory team while also completing targeted coursework and research training to support their project.

• Research project: An original, publishable research programme in areas such as reactor physics and engineering, neutron transport, nuclear safety and decommissioning, radiological protection and dosimetry, nuclear materials and fuel behaviour, plasma physics, medical physics and radiation therapy, particle and radiation detectors, or computational physics and numerical methods.
• Core academic modules and seminars: Advanced reactor theory, radiation transport methods, nuclear instrumentation and measurement, radiation protection principles, statistical methods for experimental physics, advanced materials for extreme environments, and numerical simulation techniques. Coursework content is tailored to the student’s research needs.
• Methodological training: Laboratory practice, experimental design, Monte Carlo and deterministic modelling, uncertainty quantification, and scientific programming.
• Doctoral seminars and teaching: Participation in departmental seminars, presentation of progress at internal and external conferences, and opportunities to gain experience in teaching and supervision.
• Milestones: Formal admission to the doctoral programme is followed by a proposal defence or qualifying exam, periodic progress reviews, publication of research results in peer-reviewed venues, and the final thesis defence.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised master’s degree (or equivalent) in nuclear engineering, physics, applied physics, materials science, radiological sciences, or a closely related discipline. Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s academic record, research proposal, and fit with available supervisory expertise.

• Academic transcript: Evidence of strong performance at master’s level in relevant subjects.
• Research proposal: A concise outline of the intended doctoral research, including objectives, methodology and its scientific or technical relevance.
• Supervisor support: Identification of a potential supervisor or confirmation of willingness from a faculty member to supervise the proposed research is strongly advised.
• Curriculum vitae and references: CV detailing research experience and two or more academic references.
• Language proficiency: For projects taught or supervised in English, proof of English ability may be required; some projects are conducted in Czech and may require Czech language skills. Oral interviews or entrance examinations are typically part of the selection process.
• Research experience: Prior research, internships, publications or relevant industry experience are advantageous but not always mandatory.

Career prospects

Graduates of the doctoral programme have diverse career pathways in academia, research institutes, industry and the public sector. The programme prepares graduates for roles that require deep technical expertise and independent research capability.

• Academic and research careers: Postdoctoral positions and faculty roles at universities and national research laboratories.
• Industry: Engineering and R&D positions in nuclear power utilities, reactor design firms, instrumentation and detector manufacturers, and companies engaged in decommissioning and waste management.
• Healthcare and medical physics: Specialist roles in hospitals and private clinics for radiation therapy planning, diagnostic imaging physics and radiation safety.
• Regulatory and advisory bodies: Technical experts in national nuclear regulators, environmental protection agencies and safety authorities.
• International organisations and consultancy: Roles in international nuclear organisations, research consortia and specialist consulting firms addressing safety, non-proliferation and regulatory compliance.

Why study at czech technical University

The Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering at Czech Technical University (CTU) is a long-established centre for education and research in nuclear science and engineering. CTU combines theoretical strength with access to experimental facilities and strong links to national research centres and industry partners.

• Research facilities: Access to dedicated laboratories, training reactors and instrumentation for experimental and computational research.
• Collaborative network: Close collaboration with national research institutes, power companies and regulatory bodies provides opportunities for applied research and technology transfer.
• Experienced supervision: A broad pool of faculty supervisors with expertise across fundamental and applied nuclear sciences, enabling interdisciplinary projects.
• International engagement: Active participation in international research projects and mobility partnerships supports global perspectives and career mobility.
• Professional development: Structured doctoral training, seminar series and opportunities to present at conferences help develop the communication, teaching and leadership skills sought by employers.