Doctoral Fellowships in Applied Antineutrino Physics

Person speaking at podium for UPR 2022 Closing Remarks and Awards

Introduction

The Consortium for Monitoring, Technology, and Verification (MTV) will support emerging research needs in the area of antineutrino physics applied to nuclear nonproliferation. The emission of antineutrinos from beta decay is a signature that may be harnessed to enable significant new capabilities for nonproliferation. Antineutrino emission rates are directly proportional to reactor power and methods have been developed showing promise for reactor monitoring and discovery.  Similar methods could benefit applications such as spent fuel monitoring and even nuclear explosion detection. We are exploring advanced antineutrino detection technology and applications that present opportunities for transformational advances in our ability to detect proliferation activities.

To support these efforts, doctoral student fellowships are being awarded through a competitive process. US citizens or permanent resident students from academic institutions, both inside and outside of the MTV, may apply. Fellows are selected for up to three years of funding, renewable each year, pending satisfactory performance. 

Fellowship Description

These fellowships will cover full tuition, fees, and provide a $36,000 annual stipend ($3,000/month) to each MTV Fellow for up to two years. The awarded funds will be provided by MTV to the Fellow’s institution for disbursement. Additionally, each MTV Fellowship will include travel support to the annual meetings: the annual University Program Review (UPR) meeting, during which our sponsors review current research and activities of all university consortia, and the MTV annual workshop. Continuing support for an MTV Fellow is contingent on satisfactory progress in their degree program while maintaining the minimum 3.6 GPA on a 4.0 point scale. MTV Fellows will be required to submit annual reports to MTV leadership describing their research during the previous year. These reports and input from the fellow’s advisor will inform the decision to extend the fellowship each year.

MTV Fellows are expected to intern at one of the participating national laboratories or other participating research centers for at least one summer during the duration of the fellowship.

Awarded fellowships are anticipated to begin in Fall 2023.

Applicant Requirements

  • Applicants must be a United States citizen or permanent resident
  • Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and graduate GPA of 3.6 on a 4.0 point scale
  • Applicants must either be accepted or already enrolled in a doctoral program at U.S. university in a field relevant to MTV goals and mission
  • Applicants must demonstrate that their research plan is well aligned with the MTV mission supporting antineutrino physics in nuclear nonproliferation applications.

Selection Criteria

  • Alignment of the proposed research with our nonproliferation mission
  • Academic history
  • Letters of reference

Application and Instructions

Before submitting your application, you will need to have the following information and documents available for upload:

  • Research statement, maximum 1,000 words (PDF upload)
  • Curriculum Vitae (PDF upload)
  • Transcript. Unofficial for the initial application. Official transcripts may be requested. (PDF upload)

Two references (one of whom is your advisor) will need to submit letters of recommendation by April 30, 2023, to [email protected]

Submit your application here