Postdoctoral Researcher in Nuclear Data Uncertainty and Reactor Analysis

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.uu.se/physics

Uppsala University is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join our innovative research team focused on nuclear data evaluation. This project is dedicated to advancing the development of Generation IV reactors, particularly small modular reactors with molten salt or lead-cooled designs.

We are seeking a candidate with a strong background in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related field, and extensive experience in statistics, mathematics, machine learning or uncertainty analysis. This position offers a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading international researchers, as part of the role involves being stationed at a partner institution abroad.

Join us at Uppsala University and contribute to the future of nuclear energy while expanding your global research network.

Duties
As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will play a key role in enhancing nuclear fuel burnup and optimizing reactor operations by refining uncertainty propagation methods used in safety margin calculations. Your research will involve model development and assessing uncertainties within nuclear data libraries. Your key responsibilities will be:

• Conduct advanced research on uncertainty and covariance calculations in nuclear data libraries.
• Apply and refine uncertainty propagation techniques to improve reactor safety margins.
• Collaborate with international research partners and contribute to joint research initiatives.
• Lead and contribute to academic publications, conferences, and knowledge dissemination.

Requirements
PhD degree in one of the following fields: nuclear engineering, physics, mathematics or data science, or a a closely related field, or a foreign degree equivalent to such 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.

This post also requires the candidate to be proficient in at least one programming language.

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:

• Demonstrated expertise in, statistics, mathematics, machine learning, or uncertainty analysis
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Documented experience with nuclear physics and particularly nuclear data.
• Good communication skills and a strong collaborative spirit.
• Significant research experience in a relevant field.

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,
• information on any personal circumstances that may affect the judgement of your merits,
• publication list, and
• any other documentation that you wish to have considered.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of 2 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: Erik Andersson Sundén, erik.anderson-sunden@physics.uu.se

Please submit your application by 25 October 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3202.

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