Postdoctoral position in Gamma Spectroscopy for Radionuclide Monitoring - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Are you an expert in gamma-ray spectrometry? Do you want to work 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 postdoc position at Uppsala University.  

The Alva Myrdal Centre for Nuclear Disarmament (AMC) conducts research, teaching, and public outreach on the topic of nuclear disarmament. This postdoc position is in a technical work group of AMC, placed at the division of Applied Nuclear Physics, department of Physics and Astronomy, of Uppsala University. The division has a broad research scope covering several topics related to nuclear fission and fusion, which includes technical aspects of nuclear disarmament

Duties
Your main tasks will be to contribute to a project aiming to improve upon the minimum detectable activity in gamma-ray spectrometry for radionuclide monitoring systems. Radionuclide monitoring is a remote monitoring method used primarily for verification of the comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty (CTBT). In recent years the use of gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometry has been suggested as a means to enhance the sensitivity to nuclides which are relevant for the detection of nuclear weapons tests.

In this project, we investigate the use of modern segmented HPGe detectors for detection of such nuclides by coincidence spectrometry. By utilizing the positon-sensitivity of segmented detectors, gamma-rays emitted in cascade can be detected separately, thereby providing a means to use coincidence techniques to reduce the background. Your work will include modeling and simulation as well as experimental work with multiple detectors as well as electronically segmented detectors.

Specifically, your tasks may include the following:

• Further develop and validate our geant4 based simulation framework for coincidence detection in gamma-ray spectrometry
• Validation of simulation codes is performed using a custom-made detector system for coincidence spectrometry, using a multi-detector setup of five detectors.
• Modelling of a dedicated detector system for gamma-gamma coincidence spectrometry of CTBT-relevant nuclides, using a few difference segmentation patterns that are foreseen to be practical and affordable to manufacture.
• Proposing a detector geometry optimized for Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) for key nuclides.
• Development of data analysis for raw data of list mode type (with energy, time, and detector channel ID),
• Collecting and analyzing air filter samples for comparison of coincidence technique with traditional gamma-ray spectrometry.
• Interaction with collaboration partners; experts from the radionuclide monitoring application (from the Swedish Defence Research Agency, FOI), and experts on segmented HPGe manufacturing.
• There is also possibility to get involved in applications of gamma-ray imager detectors, for use in e.g. projects aiming to develop instrumentation suitable for verification of absence or presence of fissile material, as well as for use in decommissioning and issues with legacy nuclear waste.
• In the AMC working group and in the Applied Nuclear Physics division, we also encourage you to develop your individual research direction, and to submit applications to help develop the activities of the division

Requirements
PhD degree in a relevant field, such as nuclear physics or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. 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.

Additional qualifications
The qualifications listed below are meant to help the applicant to point out any relevant experience and expertise. We encourage the submission of an application even if your experience does not match all the listed qualifications.

• Expertise in experimental gamma-ray spectrometry
• Experience in the design and optimization of novel radiation detectors
• Proficiency in radiation transport simulation with codes such as Geant4 and MCNP
• Working experience with segmented detectors or gamma cameras
• Expertise in advanced analysis of segmented detectors, such as from gamma-ray tracking, pulse shape analysis, coincidence detection technique
• Documented experience of radionuclide monitoring or gamma spectrometry of environmental samples
• Documented interest in nuclear disarmament or non-proliferation.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years, but may be prolonged to at most three years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date 1 March 2024 or as agreed. Placement: Ångström laboratory, Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Peter Andersson, +46702256963, peter.andersson@physics.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 6 February 2024, UFV-PA 2023/4976.

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