Engineering Nuclear Engineering opportunities in Switzerland?

AI Thread Summary
Switzerland operates four nuclear power plants and several research reactors, with the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) being a notable institution for nuclear research. The discussion highlights the competitive nature of entering the nuclear engineering field in Switzerland, particularly for foreigners. Average salaries for entry-level nuclear engineers are sought, alongside insights into visa requirements and barriers to employment for non-Swiss citizens. The Federal Office of Energy's website lacks comprehensive career information, prompting inquiries about funding for PhD programs and the possibility of working part-time at a power plant while pursuing further education. The conversation also notes plans to close all Swiss nuclear power plants by 2034 due to political decisions following the Fukushima disaster. Resources for visa information and potential salary insights are shared, emphasizing the importance of contacting institutions like PSI for specific career opportunities.
Hercuflea
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I have just been browsing through some articles on Switzerland's Nuclear policies and it appears they have four working power plants and several other research reactors. I know they have ITER, and that would be great, but I am sure it is extremely competitive to get in there. Does anyone know what the average entry level nuclear engineer working at a power plant in Switzerland can expect to make? Also what are the barriers to entry for foreigners, if any? I have been going through the Federal Office of Energy's website, and there doesn't seem to be much information on careers, but there is some interesting info on PhD research projects (http://nes.web.psi.ch/structure_staff.html) and Master's programs. I might be interested if I could hold a nuclear job while going to school there. That's another thing, the funding situation seems a bit confusing...do they pay stipends like in the US or is it pay to play?

Would it be realistic to get a job at a PP in Switzerland with a master's degree and continue working on a PhD part time while at the PP?
 
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Astronuc said:
One should look at opportunities at Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) in Willigen. http://www.psi.ch/ I know of a number of foreigners who work at PSI.

I know people at Swiss Light Source, which is part of PSI.

Depending on your interests, EMPA might be worth looking at (i'm pretty sure it is an English-speaking institution). http://www.empa.ch
 
Thanks for the info. Do you know of any websites that could give me a good idea of an engineers salary and visa requirements in Switzerland? Like equivalent to the bureau of labor and statistics?
 
I can't tell you much about it, except that they are planning to close every power plant until 2034 (reason: politics after Fukushima). I don't know if this is useful information for you neither, but that's something I know!
 
Hercuflea said:
Thanks for the info. Do you know of any websites that could give me a good idea of an engineers salary and visa requirements in Switzerland? Like equivalent to the bureau of labor and statistics?

Visa information - http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/visumantragsformular.html
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/nameri/vusa/ref_visinf/visusa.html#ContentPar_0020

It is perhaps best to contact PSI directly.


http://www.psi.ch/pa/working-at-psi

http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf86.html
. . . .
NOK Axpo, operating Beznau and Leibstadt, is part of the Axpo Group owned by the cantons in the northeastern part of the country. Another utility consortium ATEL (now Alpiq) owned 40% of Gosgen and 27.4% of Leibstadt.

In 2009 ATEL merged with EOS to form Alpiq Holding SA, the country's largest power utility. Early in 2009 EdF increased its stake in Alpiq to 25%. One third of Alpiq's electricity is nuclear.

. . . .
 
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