Postdoctoral position in applied nuclear physics

Postdoctoral position in applied nuclear physics with a specialization towards nuclear safeguards and security for Generation IV nuclear energy systems

We are looking for a new colleague in our research group on nuclear safeguards. Apply for the position as a postdoc and join us!

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 Department of Physics and Astronomy.

Within the division of applied nuclear physics at the Department of physics and astronomy, research is conducted in nuclear fission and safeguards. The research is focused on applications such as i) verification of nuclear material from today’s existing nuclear reactors, ii) verification of nuclear material from future nuclear energy systems, and iii) development of analysis methodologies using for instance machine learning approaches.

Duties
In a recently granted project, funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, research will be conducted on future fossil free electricity production for a sustainable society. The research project is focused on multidisciplinary research around future Generation IV nuclear energy systems.

This position is connected to the work package on nuclear safety, security and safeguards. The postdoc is expected to do research related to the control and verification of nuclear material, and the prevention of unauthorized access to such materials. The postdoc is expected to initially describe how the nuclear material moves and transforms in the different facilities and processes, in order to use simulations and calculations to characterize properties of the nuclear material. The postdoc is also expected to conduct calculations connected to material attractiveness and physical protection, and suggest monitoring and measurement points in the facilities. The postdoc is finally also expected to simulate radiative emissions and instrument detections, in order to provide recommendations on the use of measurement techniques, instruments and measurement times in future Generation IV facilities.

The postdoc may also have the opportunity to participate in teaching activities within the division.

Requirements
PhD degree in physics with specialization towards nuclear physics or nuclear technology, or a foreign degree equivalent to this. 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.

For this position we also require that the applicant has:

• Experience of simulation tools such as for instance MCNP, Geant, Serpent, and is able to conduct data analysis with tools such as for instance MATLAB, Python or C++.
• Excellent cooperation skills, as well as communication skills in both speaking and writing in English.

The applicant must be eligible to a personal licence for export-controlled codes like MCNP, and able to gain access to Swedish nuclear facilities.

Additional qualifications
Additional qualifications are intended to point out any relevant experience and expertise, and are considered meriting. We encourage the submission of an application even if your experience does not match all the listed qualifications:

• Proven experience of the research areas of technical nuclear safeguards and technical nuclear security.
• Scientific publications in areas relevant for the position.
• Proven experience of working with Generation II-IV nuclear energy systems.
• Proven experience of assessing nuclear material attractivity and proliferation resistance.
• Proven experience of non-destructive assay methods.
• Proven experience of data analysis.
• Proven experience of working with different simulation environments.
• Proven experience of working in a physics-oriented research environment and in collaboration projects.
• Strong ability to work effectively in a diverse, multi-cultural, and mixed-gender team, promoting a collaborative team spirit.
• Ability to work independently and take personal responsibility for the progression of projects.
• Teaching experience, as it is possible to do teaching on the level of 20% in this position.

The application

The application, written in Swedish or English, shall include:

• A personal letter,
• curriculum vitae,
• a copy of the PhD degree certificate and grades,
• a link to (preferably), or a copy of, the PhD thesis
• two references, of which at least one from the academy, and a letter of recommendation,
• publication list, and
• any other documentation that you wish to have considered.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement. Full time position. Starting date May 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Sophie Grape, Sophie.grape@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by 22 November, 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2986.

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