Doctorant IA

Position Summary

Westinghouse is seeking a PhD candidate to develop the next generation of Artificial Intelligence technologies for industrial inspection and defect detection in the nuclear industry. The objective is to create AI models that combine multiple inspection data sources to build a coherent three‑dimensional perception of inspected components and support defect identification, characterization, and operator decision‑making. The research focuses on explainable AI, multimodal data fusion, and industrial deployment in safety‑critical environments.

Research Challenge

Industrial inspections generate large quantities of heterogeneous information. Visual inspection data, inspection history, operator observations, and advanced non‑destructive examination techniques provide only partial views. The challenge is to enable an AI system to develop a meaningful three‑dimensional understanding of the inspection context and potential defects by combining complementary sources, providing richer actionable information while maintaining transparency, traceability, and explainability.

Main Objectives

• Multimodal Data Fusion – Develop methods to combine heterogeneous inspection data, create unified representations, investigate relationships between modalities.
• AI‑Based 3D Perception – Develop models to understand spatial relationships, provide 3D interpretation of indications and defect signatures, improve defect detection.
• Explainable and Physics‑Informed AI – Design interpretable models suitable for industrial and nuclear applications, associate AI outputs with physical features, develop confidence and uncertainty indicators.
• Stage 1 – Visual Testing (VT) – Create labeled datasets, develop AI architectures and fusion methodologies, validate representation‑learning approaches on visual data.
• Stage 2 – Advanced Ultrasonic Testing (UT) – Transfer and adapt models, integrate FMC, TFM, and advanced UT information, fuse VT and UT data within a common framework, enhance defect characterization.

Candidate Profile

We look for candidates passionate about Artificial Intelligence applied to complex industrial challenges, with background in:

• Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Signal Processing, Computer Engineering.
• Experience with Deep Learning, Foundation Models, Representation Learning, Autoencoders, Generative Models, Multimodal AI, 3D Computer Vision, NDE.

Why Join This Project?

This PhD offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence, Industrial Inspection, Computer Vision, Data Fusion, Human‑AI Collaboration, and Nuclear Safety. The successful candidate will contribute to technologies that support operators with intelligent 3D perception and improve defect detection reliability in critical infrastructures.

Benefits

Westinghouse provides attractive remuneration and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Peer‑to‑peer recognition program.
• Learning and development opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program with confidential counseling for employees and dependents.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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

For more information about Westinghouse, visit