The Canadian Hub for Excellence in Multiscale Nuclear Software (CHEMNUS) prepares graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to help solve some of the most complex challenges in nuclear science and engineering. Through interdisciplinary research, advanced computing, and hands-on collaboration with academic, industry, and government partners, it equips trainees with the technical expertise and professional skills needed to develop the next generation of nuclear simulation software.
CHEMNUS brings together 11 principal investigators from six Canadian universities, supported by government laboratories, industry leaders, and international collaborators. Working across institutions and disciplines, trainees become part of a collaborative community advancing Canada's leadership in nuclear science and engineering.
Graduates are prepared for careers in:
- Research universities
- National laboratories
- Nuclear utilities
- Regulatory agencies
- Government
- Advanced technology companies
- Scientific software development
This project is funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada's Collaborative Research and Training Experience (NSERC CREATE) program.
Our mission
Canada's future energy systems will depend on researchers who can solve complex engineering challenges while developing reliable, next-generation technologies. CHEMNUS was created to help meet that need by training researchers capable of developing the sophisticated software that supports modern nuclear reactor design, safety, and innovation.
Read more in the Queen's GazetteWhat we offer
CHEMNUS combines world-class research with practical training in:
- High-performance computing
- Scientific software engineering
- Quality assurance
- Multiscale modelling
- Advanced nuclear simulation
Students graduate with highly sought-after technical skills that are applicable across the nuclear sector and beyond.
Beyond the classroom
CHEMNUS offers more than graduate research. Participants benefit from:
- Technical webinars and specialized workshops
- Professional development seminars
- Annual summer schools
- Mobility placements with partner organizations
- Mentorship from leaders in academia, industry, and government
- Collaborative software development experiences
- A national network of researchers and industry partners
How to join
Interested in becoming a CHEMNUS trainee?
- Explore the list of participating principal investigators below and identify a research group aligned with your interests.
- Contact a faculty member to discuss available graduate research opportunities.
- Apply and be accepted into a participating graduate program.
- Enroll in CHEMNUS to access specialized training, mentorship, mobility opportunities, and a national research network.
CHEMNUS welcomes undergraduate researchers, master's students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows interested in advancing nuclear science through computational research.
Principal Investigator | Institution | Research Area |
|---|---|---|
Laurent Karim Béland (Program Director) | Queen's University | Computational materials science, machine learning potentials, scientific software |
Queen's University | Radiation effects in materials, atomistic modelling | |
Queen's University | High-performance computing, scientific software optimization | |
Queen's University | Inclusive software engineering, EDI, collaborative software | |
McMaster University | Nuclear fuel performance, multiphysics modelling | |
McMaster University | Phase-field modelling, materials simulation | |
McMaster University | Multiphysics modelling, severe accident analysis | |
Ontario Tech University | Reactor physics, health physics, reactor design | |
Royal Military College of Canada | Fuel modelling, radiological modelling | |
University of Windsor | Computational fluid dynamics, heat transfer | |
Polytechnique Montréal | Reactor physics, DRAGON5/DONJON5, neutron transport | |
| Charles Bienvenue | Polytechnique Montréal | Nuclear engineering, reactor design and operation |
Questions?
Please email us at chemnus@queensu.ca