General information
Organisation
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas :
• defence and security,
• nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
• technological research for industry,
• fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.
Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.
The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France
Reference
2026-42065
Description de l'unité
This internship will be transversal between two units of the CEA, belonging to the CEA-List and CEA-Iramis institutes respectively. These teams conduct research in the field of recycling, whether in the development of sorting methods (core of the internship) or methods for recovering chimical elements of interest. Rich and complementary skills are found here, including physicists, chemists, developers, numerical analysts, electronics engineers, mechanics, etc.
Position description
Category
Materials, solid state physics
Contract
Internship
Job title
Optimize the recycling of critical metals: simulation and X-ray spectroscopy for intelligent sorting
Subject
Improving Recycling Processes for Metals Classified as Critical by the European Union by Optimizing Metal Waste Sorting Methods
Contract duration (months)
6
Job description
In a context of resource scarcity, metal recycling is a key lever for a circular economy, both from an economic and environmental perspective.
During this internship, the student will work on improving the valorization of metals by optimizing the sorting of metal waste. Initially, the focus will be on studying methods for analyzing the chemical composition of samples to identify the most promising approaches for effective recycling.
The next step will involve testing and evaluating advanced analytical tools to determine their ability to predict the chemical composition of materials based on spectroscopic data. This part of the project will include software development combining numerical simulation techniques and artificial intelligence. The student will also contribute to optimizing sorting processes, leveraging databases enriched with innovative methods.
The student will conduct their research in a multidisciplinary environment within a collaborative team specializing in material analysis and recycling. During this internship, they will be exposed to an international and cross-functional framework, interacting with multiple operational departments of the CEA and collaborating with various teams working on issues related to the circular economy and materials science.
This internship represents an excellent opportunity for professional growth, both in terms of technical knowledge (spectroscopy, simulation, artificial intelligence) and cross-functional skills (teamwork, project management). It will also allow the student to contribute to a major environmental goal: improving metal recycling and reducing resource losses.
The topic is part of a dynamic and promising scientific field with strong potential for industrial and environmental impact. The results may lead to scientific publications or industrial valorization. This internship is paid according to the student's level of education.
Applicant Profile
Student in the final year of an engineering degree or a Master 2 program, motivated by the scientific and technical challenges related to recycling and material analysis.
For this project, expertise in at least one of the following areas is required:
- Radiation-matter interaction
- Materials science
- Data Science
- Deep Learning
- Numerical simulation
Position location
Site
Saclay
Job location
France, Ile-de-France, Essonne (91)
Location
Saclay
Requester
Position start date
01/02/2027
Create candidate area
