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Master'sNuclear Engineering & Nuclear Fuel Cycle Technologies Applications open

Master’s in Robotics and Remote Handling for Radioactive Environments Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in robotics and remote handling engineering for radioactive environments. 12 modules covering radiation effects on robots, radiation-tolerant design, hot cell manipulators, teleoperation, robotic radiological characterisation, robotic decommissioning, remote maintenance in fusion, autonomy and safety qualification, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Analyse handling needs in radioactive environments.

02

Assess the effects of radiation on robotic components.

03

Design radiation-tolerant robots and manipulators.

04

Implement teleoperation with force feedback.

05

Carry out robotic radiological characterisation.

06

Plan decommissioning and remote maintenance operations.

07

Analyse the safety and qualification of robotic systems.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Remote handling engineers.
  • Nuclear robotics engineers.
  • Hot cell specialists.
  • Decommissioning engineers.
  • Radiological characterisation technicians.
  • Fusion remote maintenance engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates looking to enter the nuclear energy sector.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 17874 (remote handling devices for radioactive materials)
  • ISO 10218 (safety requirements for industrial robots)
  • IAEA SSG-47 (decommissioning of nuclear facilities)
  • Directive 2013/59/Euratom (basic safety standards for radiation protection)
  • IEC 61508 (functional safety of E/E/PE safety-related systems)
  • ISO 11933 (components for containment enclosures: glove boxes)
  • IEC 60780 (qualification of electrical equipment of the safety system)
  • ROS 2
  • Gazebo
  • Unity
  • MoveIt
  • Microshield
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1Handling needs in radioactive environments
  2. 1.2Hot cells and tong manipulators
  3. 1.3Experience at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl
  4. 1.4Robotics at Fukushima Daiichi
  5. 1.5Remote maintenance at JET and ITER
  6. 1.6Decommissioning with robots
  7. 1.7Management of high-level waste
  8. 1.8The ALARA principle and robotics
  9. 1.9International roadmaps
  10. 1.10Case study: analysis of the Fukushima robots
  1. 2.1Interaction of radiation with electronics
  2. 2.2Total ionising dose
  3. 2.3Displacement effects
  4. 2.4Single-event effects
  5. 2.5Degradation of sensors and cameras
  6. 2.6Degradation of polymers and lubricants
  7. 2.7Tolerance of commercial components
  8. 2.8Irradiation testing
  9. 2.9Tolerance databases
  10. 2.10Lab: service life estimation from accumulated dose
  1. 3.1Materials selection
  2. 3.2Hardened and remote electronics
  3. 3.3Local shielding of electronics
  4. 3.4Architectures with separated electronics
  5. 3.5Hydraulic and electric actuators
  6. 3.6Cables and connectors
  7. 3.7Design for decontamination
  8. 3.8Sealing and leak-tightness
  9. 3.9Design qualification
  10. 3.10Practical: conceptual design of an arm for a hot cell
  1. 4.1Mechanical master-slave manipulators
  2. 4.2Electric manipulators
  3. 4.3Shielding windows
  4. 4.4Penetrations and wall feedthroughs
  5. 4.5Transfer systems
  6. 4.6Manipulator maintenance
  7. 4.7Operator ergonomics
  8. 4.8Reference facilities
  9. 4.9Hot cell modernisation
  10. 4.10Case study: modernisation of a hot cell
  1. 5.1Bilateral teleoperation
  2. 5.2Force feedback
  3. 5.3Remote viewing and radiation-tolerant cameras
  4. 5.4Virtual and augmented reality
  5. 5.5Model-assisted teleoperation
  6. 5.6Delay management
  7. 5.7Operator interfaces
  8. 5.8Cognitive load
  9. 5.9Performance evaluation
  10. 5.10Lab: assisted teleoperation with virtual fixtures
  1. 6.1Detectors on robots: gamma, neutron and alpha
  2. 6.2Gamma cameras
  3. 6.33D radiological mapping
  4. 6.4Fusion of radiological and geometric data
  5. 6.5Source localisation
  6. 6.6Remote sampling
  7. 6.7Characterisation for decommissioning
  8. 6.8Measurement uncertainty
  9. 6.9Presentation of results
  10. 6.10Practical: 3D dose map with simulated data
  1. 7.1Decommissioning strategies
  2. 7.2Segmentation of reactor vessel internals
  3. 7.3Remote thermal and mechanical cutting
  4. 7.4Robotic decontamination
  5. 7.5Retrieval of legacy waste
  6. 7.6Decommissioning of pools
  7. 7.7Management of generated waste
  8. 7.8Experience at Zorita and Garoña
  9. 7.9European programmes
  10. 7.10Case study: segmentation plan for internals
  1. 8.1Maintenance requirements at ITER
  2. 8.2Divertor handling
  3. 8.3Blanket handling system
  4. 8.4Cask transfer
  5. 8.5The ITER hot cell
  6. 8.6Lessons from JET
  7. 8.7Maintenance in DEMO
  8. 8.8Virtual testing tools
  9. 8.9Design standards for remote handling
  10. 8.10Lab: simulation of a cassette insertion
  1. 9.1Mapping and SLAM in degraded environments
  2. 9.2Object recognition in industrial scenes
  3. 9.3Autonomous grasping
  4. 9.4Motion planning
  5. 9.5Learning from demonstration
  6. 9.6Behaviour verification
  7. 9.7Human supervision
  8. 9.8Regulatory acceptance
  9. 9.9Cases of autonomy in nuclear
  10. 9.10Practical: autonomous grasping in simulation
  1. 10.1Nuclear safety of robotic operations
  2. 10.2Operational risk analysis
  3. 10.3Dropped loads and criticality
  4. 10.4Recovery of stuck robots
  5. 10.5Equipment qualification
  6. 10.6Regulator requirements
  7. 10.7Procedures and training
  8. 10.8Machinery safety
  9. 10.9Cybersecurity
  10. 10.10Workshop: risk analysis of a robotic operation
  1. 11.1National nuclear robotics programmes
  2. 11.2The RAIN and RAICo consortia
  3. 11.3Suppliers and market
  4. 11.4Costs and benefits
  5. 11.5Training of specialists
  6. 11.6Transfer to other sectors
  7. 11.7Robotics in geological disposal
  8. 11.8Future trends
  9. 11.9International collaboration
  10. 11.10Case study: analysis of an R&D programme
  1. 12.1Definition of the radiological task
  2. 12.2Characterisation of the environment
  3. 12.3System requirements
  4. 12.4Design of the robotic solution
  5. 12.5Simulation of the operation
  6. 12.6Safety and dose analysis
  7. 12.7Economic assessment
  8. 12.8Conclusions
  9. 12.9Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within the intake, so you can combine it with your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is ROS 2, Gazebo, Unity, MoveIt and Microshield, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures for simulating remote maintenance operations, three-dimensional radiological mapping, and service life estimation of components under radiation. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 17874 (remote handling devices for radioactive materials), ISO 10218, IAEA SSG-47, Directive 2013/59/Euratom, IEC 61508, ISO 11933 (glove boxes), IEC 60780 (equipment qualification).

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 17874, ISO 10218 and IAEA SSG-47 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:ROS 2, Gazebo, Unity, MoveIt and Microshield, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A robotic solution for a radiological task covering environment characterisation, system design, operation simulation, safety and dose analysis and economic assessment, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Dose-based service life
Estimate the service life of robotic components from accumulated dose.
Hot cell arm design
Develop the conceptual design of a radiation-tolerant arm for a hot cell.
3D dose mapping
Build a 3D radiological map fusing radiation and geometric data.
Remote operation simulation
Simulate an assisted teleoperation or cassette insertion task.
Master's Thesis
Design and simulate a robotic solution for a task in a radioactive environment, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Remote handling engineerNuclear robotics engineerHot cell specialistDecommissioning engineerRadiological characterisation technicianFusion remote maintenance engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer able to run the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with ROS 2, Gazebo, Unity, MoveIt and Microshield, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A university degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the programme software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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