The making of a nuclear scientist

Updated on: Monday, December 26, 2011

After a 30-year pursuit of excellence in nuclear research that includes a number of research papers, scientist M. Sai Baba, says scientists like him have started to play an “integrating role.”

The upcoming competitive exam for the one-year Orientation Course for Engineering Graduates and Science Post-Graduates (OCES) conducted at BARC Training Schools is likely to be yet another opportunity.

Dr. Sai Baba's team has been shouldering the responsibility of mentoring selected students who are future scientists at Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research in Kalpakkam. “The young scientists are from various parts of the country. We have to integrate them. This is the most fulfilling experience,” says Dr. Sai Baba.

Stressing the need for collective efforts in the country for research in strategic and civilian uses, he says “There are only around 300 world class research papers pertaining to nuclear research in the country every year. We want to inspire more students towards a rewarding career in nuclear research.”

The OCES conducted at BARC Training Schools is likely to be a stepping stone for such students.

In the backdrop of protests in various parts of the country against nuclear plants, the exam is likely to generate more enthusiasm among students of engineering and postgraduate programmes in physics and chemistry.

Those selected would also have the opportunity to be part of a team that tries to balance the energy needs of our developing nation and safety concerns of the common man pertaining to nuclear installations, say scientists who are part of Dr. Sai Baba's team that shaped the training module for young scientists.

“When we address safety concerns of the young scientists we say that the training is an opportunity to make nuclear technology safer for the common man,” said a scientist.

According to a statement from IGCAR, an aspirant who scores a minimum of 50 per cent aggregate marks on completion of the training programme is declared to have passed the course. Successful trainees would be posted as scientific officers in any of the units of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) such as the Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad; Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai; Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), Kalpakkam; Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT), Mumbai; Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT), Indore; Heavy Water Board (HWB), Mumbai; Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam; Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad; Uranium Corporation of India Ltd (UCIL), Jaduguda; Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, (NPCIL), Mumbai, and Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC), Kolkata.

Allocation of a successful OCES trainee to a DAE unit is done based on the merit at the end of the OCES programme.

They also earn a Post-Graduate Diploma of Homi Bhabha National Institute, a Deemed-to-be University. This could also be an opportunity for earning a Ph.D for young scientists who are motivated.

The successful students would get an opportunity to work in various branches of basic, applied and engineering sciences that have a bearing on Nuclear Technology. This includes structural mechanics, heat and mass transfer, material science, fabrication processes, non-destructive testing, chemical sensors, high temperature thermodynamics, radiation physics and computer science.

The trainees would also get to lead research teams in various frontier subjects like quasi crystals, oxide superconductors, nano-structures, clusters, SQUID fabrication programmes, exopolymers and experimental simulation of condensed matter using colloids.

They would in future emerge as key contributors to vital sectors such as defence and space to develop techniques for reliable solutions to specialised problems. They would also have to prepare for collaborations with educational, research and development institutes.

A few of the successful young scientists would steer the country's High-Technology Nuclear Programme.

The success of the second stage of Indian Atomic Energy Programme, which is aimed at preparing the country for utilisation of the extensive thorium reserves and providing means to meet the large demands of electrical energy in future, depends on the teamwork of such bright young minds.

The details of the exams and training programme are available at www.igcar.gov.in.

Aspirants can have direct interaction with mentor scientists through email at [email protected] and [email protected].

Even though the programme is rigorous, the mentors say they will be with the young scientists through the programme.

“Every birthday of the young scientist at the programme is celebrated with a sharing of life stories that motivates them towards their goal,” said Dr. Sai Baba. Technological breakthrough comes not because of a single human; it is surely because of good teamwork, he adds.

The making of a nuclear scientist

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