Postdoctoral position in fusion neutron diagnostics - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Are you interested in working with the development of neutron diagnostics for future fusion energy experiments, with the support of competent and friendly colleagues in an international environment? Are you looking for an employer that invests in sustainable employeeship and offers safe, favourable working conditions? We welcome you to apply for a postdoctoral position at Uppsala University.

The Department of Physics and Astronomy conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. The research is carried out at 10 research divisions and touches everything from the unimaginably small to the unimaginably large within, for example, energy supply, climate development, new materials and the universe. At the Department of Applied Nuclear Physics there is, among other things, a research group that focuses on the development of nuclear fusion as an energy source. The basis of this research is to use the neutron emission that is emitted from a hot fusion plasma to obtain information about the temperature, density and other properties of the fusion fuel. The group is world leading in this field and for several decades has developed instrumentation and analysis methods for many of the world's largest fusion facilities, most notably the JET and MAST experiments, both of which are located outside Oxford in England. A large part of the group's activities is also focused on developing and optimizing neutron instrumentation for one of the great fusion experiments of the future, ITER, which is under construction in Cadarache, France. As an employee in this group, you get a unique opportunity to work with advanced neutron measurements and data analysis methods, as well as to contribute to the development of a safe and non-fossil energy source, with the potential to make a significant contribution to humanity's energy supply in the second half of the 21st century.

Duties
The employment is primarily focused on contributing to the group's work in developing a neutron spectrometer system for ITER. The focus will be especially on developing computational tools and performing simulations in order to optimize the spectrometer system for the experimental scenarios expected at ITER. This includes e.g. calculation of the system's response function (i.e. how the measurement data is expected to vary with the energy of the incoming neutrons), and to evaluate how well different plasma parameters (mainly fuel density and temperature) can be determined in different experimental scenarios. Experimental work, e.g. testing of prototype setups of the various parts of the spectrometer system, may also be included in the employment. Teaching can also be included in the employment (maximum 20% of full time).

Requirements
PhD degree in physics or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree in physics. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

In addition, the applicant is required to have the following knowledge, experience and abilities:

• Extensive experience in data analysis and modeling of nuclear physics measurements.
• Good knowledge of simulation of neutron transport with GEANT4, MCNP or similar tools.
• Very good oral and written skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and in a project group.
• A structured way of working and the ability to take own initiatives.

Additional qualifications
Experience in the following areas is also desirable:

• Research experience with magnetically confined fusion plasmas.
• Experience of working with plasma diagnostics, preferably neutron diagnostics.
• Experience working with some of the simulation tools used to model magnetically confined fusion plasmas, e.g. TRANSP, ASCOT, PION, SCENIC, ETS or similar.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 1 January 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Jacob Eriksson, jacob.eriksson@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by 27 December 2023, UFV-PA 2023/4659.

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