Researcher in nuclear safeguards - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Researcher in nuclear safeguards with a specialization on the development of safeguards methodologies for future nuclear energy systems

The research conducted at the Department of Physics and Astronomy encompasses a wide range of physics topics, distributed over nine divisions. The department is located in the Ångström laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, 100 of whom are doctoral students. It offers a broad physics curriculum to undergraduate and graduate students, participation in nationally and internationally leading projects for researchers, and opportunities for partnership with industry and various outreach activities. Read more on www.physics.uu.se

At the Division of applied nuclear physics, we conduct research in technical nuclear safeguards with a focus on the development of technical means to ensure that nuclear material is used in agreement with peaceful purposes. Research is conducted to improve and develop instruments, measurement techniques and analysis techniques intended to verify nuclear fuel, also in support of future nuclear energy systems. The research is motivated by needs and requests from national and international regulators and organizations, but also by national and international collaborations.

The research will be conducted in a group involved in a number of different projects that have bearing on future nuclear energy systems. While all of them cover aspects related to the monitor and verification of nuclear material, some also include aspects related to nuclear security and/or physical protection. One part of the research portfolio is connected to the nuclear competence centre ANItA, a collaboration between the Swedish academy and industry, intended to conduct research on the deployment of small modular reactors in Sweden. Another part of the research activities is connected to interdisciplinary research where nuclear safeguards and nuclear security aspects of floating nuclear power plants are in focus. There are also plans to expand the research activities to land-based systems, and towards Generation IV nuclear energy systems, and the researcher is expected to have a key role in such work. It is desirable that the researcher is able to present own ideas for developing the research in ways that complement existing activities, perhaps in the direction of nuclear security.

Duties
The duties aim to develop and support methods for accounting for and verifying nuclear material. Research tasks may include the use and development of methodologies to identify and assess proliferation risks and material attractiveness, modelling of source terms from radioactive material and analysis related to the properties of the nuclear material in order to promote nuclear safeguards and security. Analysis of gamma and neutron radiation from nuclear fuel will be included, as will modelling of the detection of such radiation. It is also part of the duties to submit applications for research funds that allow the research to be conducted. Hands-on work in the form of fuel measurements or other measurements, and analysis of measurement data may also be included.

Departmental duties including education and training can be included on the level of 20%. Education and training at different levels (bachelor level, master level, graduate level) is also expected to be included. Course responsibility and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students may be included. Departmental duties may include responsibility for local infrastructure, educational matters, the third task etc.

Requirements
It is required that the applicant has:

• A PhD in physics, nuclear physics or nuclear technology
• Documented skills and experiences in nuclear safegaurds and non-proliferation
• Experience and skills of modelling and simulations of nuclear material such as nuclear fuel, with for instance Serpent, SCALE and MCNP
• Experience of simulating the interaction and detection of emitted gamma and neutron radiation
• Experience of data analysis
• Good communication skills in English and ability to clearly present research results at specialised workshops and conferences in the field.
• Good collaboration skills.

Additional qualifications
The following qualifications are meriting:

• Experience of research on future nuclear energy systems, such as small modular reactor systems, gloating reactors and Generation IV nuclear energy systems.
• Experience of using methodologies to estimate proliferation resistance and material attractiveness
• Experience of nuclear security and physical protection
• Experience of working with equipment and detectors for measuring and quantifying ionizing radiation
• Experience of programming using Python, Matlab and C/C++
• Experience of research on the light-water reactor fuel cycle
• Experience of national and international collaborations

It is also considered a merit if the applicant is able to show proof of earlier MCNP licenses for export-controlled software codes such as Serpent and MCNP, an experience of using such codes.

About the employment
The employment is a permanent position, probationary period may be applied. Scope of employment 100%. Starting date as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Sophie Grape, +4618-417 5842, sophie.grape@physics.uu.se 

Please submit your application by 4 April 2024, UFV-PA 2024/639.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? Find out more about what it´s like to work and live in Sweden.