Researcher in applied nuclear physics

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

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is located in the Ångström Laboratory and employs nearly 400 people, around 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.

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 verification of nuclear material from existing and future nuclear energy systems.

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.

The researcher is expected to do research on ensuring system resilience against nuclear proliferation, and studies related to reducing risks of unauthorised access to, or theft of, nuclear materials (NM). Research tasks include fuel cycle assessments, nuclear material characterization (composition and attractiveness) and nuclear safeguards and security assessments. Proliferation resistance and physical protection studies are expected for processes and facilities, and means to safeguards and protect the systems will be included. Development of methods and analysis techniques for safeguards and security relevant monitoring are also foreseen and include the identification of key measurement points, remote monitoring means, and automatic measurement and analysis techniques.

The researcher 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. 

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++, and
• excellent cooperation skills, as well as communication skills in both speaking and writing in English.

Personal values are important, and for this position the applicant must be able to work effectively in a multicultural and mixed-gender environment, and promote a collaborative team spirit. In addition, the applicant needs to be able to work independently and take personal responsibility for the progression of the project.
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. For this position, we value proven experience of:

• research related to nuclear energy systems,
• nuclear safeguards, nuclear security, and assessments related to nuclear material attractivity and proliferation resistance,
• non-destructive assay methods,
• relevant data analysis,
• different simulation environments.

Scientific publications in areas relevant for the position are also meriting, as is experience of education and teaching as there is a possibility 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, 24 months. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date August 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 6 March 2025, UFV-PA 2025/342.

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