NEPHEWS Neutron School

Neutron-Based Research Methods: Theory and Practice

The NEPHEWS Neutron School provides a comprehensive introduction to neutron-based research methods and their applications in modern science. Participants will gain theoretical foundations, familiarize themselves with neutron scattering and diffraction techniques.

The school is organized as a five-day on-site course for up to 24 participants, combining lectures and guided facility visit led by experienced experts in neutron research.

The lecture programme covers both fundamental theory and applied aspects of neutron science. Participants are introduced to the basic principles of neutron production and interactions with matter, neutron scattering and diffraction, and the main characteristics of neutron sources and experimental facilities. The programme then focuses on the principles and applications of different neutron-based techniques, including small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), neutron diffraction, reflectometry, and inelastic neutron scattering, with particular emphasis on their applicability to research in physics, chemistry, materials science, soft matter, and life sciences.

A distinctive feature of the training is a guided visit to a neutron research facility. During the visit, participants have the opportunity to explore the infrastructure and learn about the organisation of neutron experiments, instrument components, experimental geometries, sample environments, data acquisition, and common experimental constraints. The visit provides a practical perspective on how neutron experiments are designed and conducted at large-scale research infrastructures.

Throughout the school, participants will work closely with experienced experts and have the opportunity to discuss their research ideas, experimental challenges, and potential applications of neutron techniques to their own research.

Key Facts

Dates: 1 – 5 February 2027

Location:

• Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, V Holešovičkách 2, Prague, Czechia
• Troja Campus, A building – rooms T1

Organizer:

• SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre (SOLARIS)
• The Nuclear Physics Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences (NPI CAS)
• Charles University – Faculty of Mathematics and Physics (FMP CU)

The lecture programme covers both fundamental theory and applied aspects of neutron science. Participants are introduced to the basic principles of neutron production and interactions with matter, neutron scattering and diffraction, and the main characteristics of neutron sources and experimental facilities. The programme then focuses on the principles and applications of different neutron-based techniques, including small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), neutron diffraction, reflectometry, and inelastic neutron scattering, with particular emphasis on their applicability to research in physics, chemistry, materials science, soft matter, and life sciences.

Full Agenda cooming soon.

The programme is open only to PhD students and students enrolled in second-cycle Master’s degree

Applicants are required to complete an online application form, which includes:

• Personal information
• Academic CV
• Motivation and research interests

In addition, applicants are required to submit a recommendation letter from the supervisor.

For detailed information, please see the REGISTRATION section below.

Participation restrictions

• In accordance with the applicable regulations and policies of the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Centre and the position of the Polish Government concerning Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine, candidates affiliated with institutions based in the Russian Federation or Belarus are not eligible to participate in the NEPHEWS Neutron School.
• To ensure the widest possible access to NEPHEWS training opportunities, applicants who have already participated in NEPHEWS support programmes, including ESR and Twinning activities, are not eligible to participate in the school.

Submitted applications will first undergo a formal eligibility check conducted by the project coordinator’s team. Only complete applications, consisting of the online application form and the recommendation letter from the supervisor, will be considered for evaluation.

Eligible applications will then be evaluated from a scientific and substantive perspective by a panel of experts.

The evaluation process will take into account the following criteria:

• Academic background  – the applicant’s education.
• Scientific motivation – the applicant’s motivation to participate in the school.
• Recommendation from the supervisor – assessment of the applicant’s scientific potential, commitment, and suitability for the programme.

Scoring system

Applications will be assessed by the panel selected from experts in the field and having experience with supervising students. The two members of the panel will suggest scoring for the application, and this will be further discussed in the panel.

Geographical priority: used as a tie-breaker in case of equally scored applications.

In cases where two or more applications receive the same evaluation score, geographical priority will be used as a tie-breaker.

Priority will be given to applicants whose institutional affiliation and/or nationality is from one of the eight NEPHEWS target countries: Estonia, Finland, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine and  EU widening countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Geographical priority points are used only to resolve ties and do not form part of the initial evaluation score.

All selected participant attending the school are eligible for reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses.

The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement:

• Travel – round-trip expenses for air, train or bus travel. Air travel – economy class, while train and bus travel – second class.
• Accommodation – up to 5 nights, for stays between 1 – 6 February 2027 (if needed due to travel logistics). Reimbursement covers a single-occupancy room with breakfast included.

• Lunches and coffee breaks will be provided during the workshop.

• The reimbursement rules, eligible costs, maximum reimbursement amounts, and required supporting documents will be communicated to selected participants after the completion of the selection process.

Personal data collected during the recruitment process will be processed solely for the purposes of organising and conducting the selection procedure, managing participation in the workshop, and fulfilling the project’s reporting obligations.

The processing of personal data will be carried out in accordance with applicable data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Applicants’ personal data and submitted documents will be accessible only to authorised persons involved in the recruitment process and the organisation of the workshop. Personal data will not be publicly disclosed or shared with third parties, except where necessary for project implementation, reporting obligations, or compliance with legal requirements.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that they have read the information regarding the processing of their personal data available in the Privacy Policy.

• To apply for the NEPHEWS Neutron School, eligible applicants are required to complete the online registration form and submit a recommendation letter from the supervisor.
• The recommendation letter must be sent by the applicant to nephews@uj.edu.pl. The email subject line should include “NEPHEWS Neutron School” followed by the applicant’s full name.

Only complete applications, including the online registration form and the recommendation letter, will be considered for evaluation.

Please submit your application by 27 November 2026 (23:59 CET).

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ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM