Doctoral student

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CIFRE PhD Student – Advanced Ultrasonic Testing for Industrial InspectionLocation: Villejust, France (Paris-Saclay Area)
Company: Westinghouse Electric France
Contract: CIFRE PhD (3 years)
Start Date: October 2026

About Westinghouse: Westinghouse is a global leader in nuclear technology and services, supporting the safe, reliable and efficient operation of nuclear power plants worldwide. As facilities move toward long-term operation, advanced non-destructive examination (NDE) methods play a critical role in ensuring component integrity and safety. PhD TopicAdvanced Ultrasonic Inspection of Industrial Components: From Sensitivity Mapping to Decision Support in Field Conditions

This PhD project focuses on the development and understanding of advanced ultrasonic inspection techniques used for safety-critical industrial components.The research will investigate modern ultrasonic imaging approaches including Full Matrix Capture (FMC), Total Focusing Method (TFM), Plane Wave Imaging (PWI) and multimode ultrasonic inspection techniques.

The objective is to better understand how acquisition parameters, material characteristics and inspection configurations influence image quality, defect detectability and inspection reliability. The final goal is to provide inspectors with scientifically justified criteria and practical decision-support tools that improve examination robustness, repeatability and traceability in industrial environments. 

Main Research Objectives

The successful candidate will contribute to:Understanding the influence of acquisition and processing parameters on ultrasonic inspection performance.
Developing sensitivity maps linking physical and instrumental parameters to image quality and defect detectability.
Investigating multimode ultrasonic acquisition strategies.
Characterizing artefacts, uncertainties and limitations associated with advanced ultrasonic imaging.
Developing methodologies to support operator decision-making during inspections.
Improving the reliability, repeatability and justification of advanced ultrasonic examinations.
Validating the proposed methodologies on representative industrial mock-ups and test pieces.

Key ActivitiesThe PhD student will:Conduct research on advanced ultrasonic inspection methods.
Design and perform experimental campaigns.
Develop signal processing and imaging algorithms.
Build and analyse large ultrasonic datasets.
Compare different acquisition modes and processing approaches.
Participate in industrial qualification and validation activities.
Present results at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
Work closely with Westinghouse NDE experts and academic partners.

Candidate ProfileRequired Background

Master's degree or Engineering degree in:Acoustics
Ultrasonics
Signal Processing
Applied Physics
Electrical Engineering
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT/NDE)

Desired Skills

Ultrasonic testing fundamentals
Wave propagation and acoustics
Signal and image processing
Python, MATLAB or similar scientific programming tools
Experimental measurements and data analysis
Scientific modelling and numerical simulation

Personal Qualities

Strong analytical mindset
Scientific curiosity
Ability to work in multidisciplinary teams
Good communication skills
Interest in industrial research and field applications

Why Join Us?

Work on challenging problems directly related to the safety of critical industrial infrastructure.
Access state-of-the-art ultrasonic inspection technologies.
Combine academic excellence with industrial impact.
Develop expertise in advanced NDE methods within an international nuclear technology company.
Contribute to the next generation of ultrasonic inspection solutions.

Keywords

Advanced Ultrasonic Testing, FMC, TFM, PWI, NDE, NDT, Signal Processing, Acoustics, Inspection Reliability, Imaging, Qualification, Nuclear Industry, Decision Support, Industrial Inspection. 

Why Westinghouse?

We know that to put forth your best effort, you need to be challenged and enjoy what you do in a supportive and respectful environment. We aim to maintain this balance by offering our employees the amenities, benefits and training they need to reach personal and professional goals. 

Below is an example of what employees in France can expect:

• Attractive remuneration
• Great benefits for your convenience and safety:
  • Peer-to-peer recognition program. 
  • Learning and development opportunities.
  • Employee Assistance Program: confidential counseling and resources for employees, eligible dependents, and household members
• We encourage our employees to participate in community service events and other team-building activities to strengthen their bonds and inspire each other.

You can learn more about Westinghouse by visiting http://www.westinghousenuclear.com. 

Westinghouse is an Equal Opportunity Employer including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities.

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