Opportunities
Scholarship, Postdocs, Internship, Job opportunities
Opportunities
ESMPE editions in 2023
Computed Tomography
Prague, Czech Republic
26th-28th January 2023
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Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy
Prague, Czech Republic
13th-15th July 2023
On-line registration will open in February 2023!
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Artificial Intelligence in Medical Physics
Online part, December 2022
In person part, October 2023
Prague, Czech Republic
The dates for the onsite school will be announced later.
Registration for the online part will open in December 2022!
FURTHER INFO AT THIS LINK: EFOMP ESMPE 2023
Opportunities for PhD student position in Neutron noise-based core monitoring in Small Modular Reactors
Major responsibilities
As a PhD student, you will develop, implement and test a neutron noise-based methodology for core monitoring and diagnostics applicable to small modular reactors. Your responsibilities also include taking courses for your doctoral education.
The position generally also includes teaching on Chalmers’ undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 per cent of working hours.
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A PhD position in reactor physics is offered in the group ‘reactor physics, modeling and safety’ and relates to projects within the Swedish competence centre ANItA (Academic-industrial Nuclear technology Initiative to Achieve a sustainable energy future) integrating Swedish technical and nontechnical expertise of Uppsala University, Chalmers, KTH, Vattenfall, Uniper, Fortum, Westinghouse Electric Sweden, Studsvik Nuclear and the Swedish Energy Agency in nuclear technology and engineering.
Collaborative research, development and education of the centre aim to create a Swedish knowledge and competence base needed for the introduction of novel nuclear power technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and providing relevant information, in particular, to policymakers for timely decisions on the future Swedish energy generation mix.
Within ANItA, the leading universities in Sweden collaborate with leading Nordic companies in the nuclear energy sector offering together a unique research environment and industrial application potential for doctoral students and postdocs with good opportunities for international partnership.
The PhD project is planned to investigate a technique for core monitoring and diagnostics applicable in future SMRs.
The technique will rely on the analysis of reactor neutron noise, i.e., the small, stationary fluctuations of the neutron flux in the reactor core. These fluctuations are always present and are related to different types of physical phenomena.
Following the evolution of neutron noise in time allows to identify and correct promptly possible perturbations that might negatively impact the operation and safety of the plant.
The technique will make use of neutron noise computational tools to study the system response to perturbations and a machine learning algorithm for the inverse problem that determines the perturbations given the system response.
The outcome of this project will ultimately support the design of SMRs, before their construction and exploitation. The project will also result in the establishment of state-of-art competences in core monitoring on the long term.
FURTHER INFO: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=10918
Opportunity for Postdoctoral position on nuclear fuel behavior
The Laboratory for Reactor Physics and System Behavior (LRS) at EPFL is looking for a motivated Post-Doc in the field of multi-dimensional modelling of nuclear fuel.
The position is expected to begin in Q1/Q2 2023 and will be based 100% in the EPFL campus in Lausanne.
The successful candidate will actively participate to the OperaHPC European project (starting in November 2022) and will effectively lead part of the subtasks assigned to EPFL.
One of the main objectives is to advance the capabilities of modern 3D fuel performance codes by enhancing the thermo-mechanical simulation of the fuel rod with high-performance computing (HPC), uncertainty quantification and a more accurate description of the fuel microstructure.
Central to the project is the 3D open-source fuel performance code OFFBEAT, which is based on the OpenFOAM C++ platform and is in development at EPFL and PSI since 2017.
Several developments will be carried out with the help of the successful candidate in the framework of the OperaHPC project. These will focus, for instance, on improving the formulation of mechanical contact to perform multi-pellet and multi-fragment simulations; on a multi-material treatment to analyze the effect of liners on the cladding behavior; on the application of layer addition/removal techniques to model the growth of oxide films; or on the creation/testing of coupling interfaces between OFFBEAT and mesoscale tools developed by the other partners’ institutions.
FURTHER INFO: https://recruiting.epfl.ch/Vacancies/2663/Description/2
Opportunities for PhD in the field of high-fidelity, multi-physics modeling of nuclear reactors.
The PhD student will investigate the multi-physics effects of thermomechanical phenomena such as core radial expansion, core flowering and assembly bowing, which are highly relevant for advanced reactor concepts.
The aim is to focus both on structural integrity issues (stresses and deformations) and on the impact on neutronics and thermal hydraulics.
The student will have the opportunity to acquire a wide range of numerical and modeling skills, and to learn a wide set of tools. These will include the two open-source codes developed at LRS and based on OpenFOAM, i.e. OFFBEAT for fuel mechanics and GeN-Foam for the multi-physics analysis of nuclear reactors, as well as the Monte Carlo neutron transport code Serpent, the fuel behavior code TRANSURANUS and Ansys Mechanical.
The PhD is partly embedded in the ESFR-SIMPLE project, led by the CEA (France) and is participated by several European institutions, research centers and universities. The PhD student will be partly responsible for the tasks assigned to EPFL in the framework of this project.
In the framework of the Great Pioneer project, several courses will be offered.
A series of them will be delivered with innovative teaching methods either in Chalmers or at UPV.
Another series, will take place on-site at Research Reactors in Dresden, Budapest and Lausanne.
The goal of GRE@T-PIONEeR is to provide resources and courses that cover a wide range of aspects of nuclear reactor modelling and physics. Students that take these courses will be the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers, providing much-needed skills to the nuclear energy sector. The courses are also available to people already working in the sector that want to increase their knowledge and sharpen their skills.
Opportunity for 2 post-doctoral positions for SMRs and hybrid systems designs within ANITA center at Chalmers University!
Postdoc in SMR designs suitable for Sweden’s future electric power production needs:
Postdoc in Nuclear-Renewable Hybrid Energy Systems
2 opportunities for PhD student positions in our group.
PhD student position: Closing the nuclear fuel loop- from waste to fuel
PhD student position – Bridging the gap between actinide recycling and nuclear fuel fabrication
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) invite graduate and postgraduate students of engineering disciplines to apply for an intensive introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament.
The course will take place on 6–8 December 2022 in the Stockholm area, Sweden.
The course will cover the fundamentals of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, as well as of missiles and other means of WMD delivery; threats associated with the military use of WMD and potential terrorist uses of chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) material (i.e. CBRN terrorism); arms control treaties; WMD-free zones; non-proliferation treaties and means of their verification; export controls; and mechanisms aimed at achieving disarmament.
The course will also examine the impact of new and emerging technologies, and the role of the engineering industry in preventing the spread and use of nuclear weapons. The course will be instructed by renowned experts on WMD non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, export controls, verification and related subjects from SIPRI, other European research centres, think tanks and international organizations.
SIPRI will closely follow the Swedish Government’s recommendations concerning the Covid-19 pandemic, related travel restrictions and other safety measures. Should it not be feasible to convene an in-person course, SIPRI will offer the same course in a virtual format. If required, all participants should be prepared to show the necessary Covid-19 documentation.
Eligibility and application
The course is open to all students currently enrolled in a European university and pursuing a graduate or postgraduate degree in any engineering discipline. Applications from qualified women and under-represented communities are encouraged.
The language of instruction is English. There is no tuition fee, and SIPRI will cover accommodation, per diem, and economy-class round-trip costs for students travelling from Europe, upon request. The deadline for applications is 15 October 2022. As space is limited, we recommend that applications are submitted as early as possible. Participants will be given access to preparatory materials and are expected to read them in advance of the course.
Applications should be submitted in English via SIPRI’s electronic application system to be eligible. Please access the form via the ‘apply’ button at the end of this page.
Please note that you will be asked to upload a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a record of courses taken to date and grades received as well as a letter confirming your enrolment in a graduate/postgraduate programme.
Contact person
Vitaly Fedchenko
« New experiments in the PULSTAR research reactor for the validation of high-fidelity multi-physics LWR simulations »
The PULSTAR experimental reactor is located at North Carolina State University (NCSU) in the United States. It is a 1 MW pool-type light water reactor fueled with PWR fuel.
The current approach to validate the multi-physics coupling at CEA is exclusively based on experimental data obtained from the operation of the PWR power plants, which is now considered insufficient to validate the coupling of advanced multi-physics models.
In this context, a post-doctoral work is proposed at CEA Cadarache, with the objective of contributing to the specifications of a new experimental program in the PULSTAR reactor for the validation of coupled multi-physics models, as part of a collaboration with the American DoE; the postdoctoral fellow will be jointly supervised by NCSU.
The experimental program will study the coupling between multi-physics parameters in steady state conditions, as well as the effects of neutronics/thermal-hydraulics/fuel physics feedback during transients, at the scale of the fuel rod and the water subchannel. Transients of variable dynamics induced by reactivity injection ramps will be considered, at appropriate reactor power levels. An adequate instrumentation to access the local temperatures of the pellet and the cladding should be proposed. The measurements thus collected, under perfectly controlled experimental conditions, will constitute benchmark data for the validation of multi-physics simulations.
The post-doctoral work plan includes the following:
– develop a digital twin of the experimental reactor core, at the fuel rod scale, using CEA simulation tools;
– propose and study configurations of interest by simulation, to contribute to the definition of the experiment for stationary and transient states;
– contribute to the definition of the possible instrumentation for the experiment, according to the target uncertainties.
Profile required : PhD in applied physics in the nuclear field: reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics or nuclear fuel performance
Contact Person
Claire VAGLIO-GAUDARD
IRESNE | DER I SESI
claire.vaglio-gaudard@cea.fr
Location:
CEA-Cadarache Centre
13108 St-Paul lez Durance cedex
Service d’études des Systèmes innovants
Position availability : 01/01/2023
More detailed information, available for download, HERE
University of Pisa (Unipi) is looking for strong and motivated PhD candidates from international Universities.
This year, Unipi offers over 300 PhD scholarships many of which will be in collaboration with or co-funded by companies. The PhD scholarship is for three years and no fees are requested by the University of Pisa for its PhD programs.
The proposed research topics of the PhD projects will be aligned with the most innovative research fields including green revolution and ecological transition, renewable energy, digital transition, circular economy, sustainable mobility, etc.
The University organizes transversal didactic activities every year, allowing to acquire competencies that go beyond the specialized notions of the individual PhD course. Moreover, abroad periods will be strongly encouraged for all PhD Students and further funds for travelling, accommodation, conference fees and other research budgets will be available.
On 20th July 2022 a second call has been open and the deadline will be on 23rd August at 1:00 p.m.
A third call will be open in September.
For all the information about the application, admission process etc., please visit the website https://dottorato2022.webhost1.unipi.it/en/home-english/.
More information is available at the website of the Doctoral studies of Politecnico di Milano (https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/?id=442&L=1)
and on the NRG website (http://www.nuclearenergy.polimi.it/4-industrial-phd-fellowships/).
Description
Within the framework of the BMBF-funded joint project “MISHA”, the passive cooling of innovative micro nuclear reactors is to be investigated.
IKE (Institut für Kernenergetik und Energiesysteme ) is responsible for the design as well as the experimental and numerical investigations of heat pipe prototypes, which are operated with liquid potassium as the working medium. The heat is transferred via the heat pipes to a Joule circuit, which is operated with air or with supercritical CO2.
The IKE work will be carried out by two doctoral students who will work closely together. One person will mainly work experimentally, the other mainly numerically.
Doctoral student (experimental):
Supported by a technician, this person will design an experimental rig to measure the heat transfer performance of potassium-filled heat pipes.After procuring the components, the experimental test section will be set up. The measurement data acquisition is to be programmed. The experiments will be carried out after consultation with the project partners. An error analysis rounds off a good experimental data basis.
The person to be hired has experimental skills and has already worked experimentally during their studies.
Doctorate student (numerical):
Two different cycles for power generation are envisaged for micro nuclear reactors: Joule cycles with air and with supercritical CO2. After implementing the material properties in the thermal-hydraulic system code, the existing models for turbomachinery and heat exchangers are to be improved for both cycles. The cycle models are then to be validated with data from the literature. In addition to the steady-state operating conditions, partial load and start-up and shutdown processes are also to be simulated.
The person to be hired has very good programming skills, preferably in FORTRAN or another programming language, and has ideally developed, implemented and validated numerical models during their studies.
Applications must be sent to:
Universität Stuttgart Institut für Kernenergetik und Energiesysteme (IKE)
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Starflinger
bewerbung@ike.uni-stuttgart.de
Candidates are supposed to start as soon as possible, possibly by September 1st, 2022.
Calls for 4 PhD scholarship funded with investments provided by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) are open at Politecnico di Milano (Italy) in collaboration with the Nuclear Reactors Group (NRG) .
Deadline: September, 12th 2022
- NUCLEAR ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR SPACE APPLICATIONS – co-financed by THALES Alenia Space. Research Director: Marco Ricotti (ricotti@polimi.it). Click on the link for more information on the topic and on the call.
- MULTIPHYSICS ANALYSIS OF SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS IN NUCLEAR FUSION DEVICES – co-financed by ANSALDO ENERGIA SpA. Research Director: Antonio Cammi (cammi@polimi.it). Click on the link for more information on the topic, and on the call
- THERMAL HYDRAULICS AND PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS IN SMALL MODULAR REACTORS – co-financed by ANSALDO ENERGIA SpA. Research Director: Marco Ricotti (ricotti@polimi.it). Click on the link for more information on the topic and on the call.
- THERMAL HYDRAULICS, VALIDATION AND TESTING IN SMALL MODULAR REACTORS– co-financed by ANSALDO ENERGIA SpA. Research Director: Stefano Lorenzi (lorenzi@polimi.it). Click on the link for more information on the topic and on the call.
More information is available at the website of the Doctoral studies of Politecnico di Milano (https://www.dottorato.polimi.it/?id=442&L=1)
and on the NRG website (http://www.nuclearenergy.polimi.it/4-industrial-phd-fellowships/).
A post-doctoral position has been opened at IRSN to realize experimental campaigns for GO-VIKING WP4.
GO-VIKING is a European Commission funded project that kicked off in June 2022. (Project website is under construction)
The experimental device, on which the work will focus, is called TREFLE and allows to realize two phase air-water cross-flows inside a tube bundle, and to study the fluid-structure interaction.
The post-doc is meant to start at the beginning of 2023, but any starting date from now can be possible.
The full description can be found HERE
Subject: thermal-hydraulics
Keywords: two-phase flows, fluid-structure interactions, experimental measurements, steam generators
Place: Cadarache – France (13)
Length: 18 months
Availability date: 01 February 2023 (different starting date – sooner or later – possible, depending on the candidate availability)
Supervisors: Daniele VIVALDI and Guillaume BRILLANT
CONTEXT
Fluid-structure interactions (FSI) are a concern in nuclear power plants. One main example is the fluid-induced vibrations (FIV) of the steam generator (SG) tube bundle. The external steam-water two-phase flow crossing the tubes induces FSI mechanisms that, if not mastered, can lead to high amplitudes of vibration, which can result in a SG tube rupture accident.
The Gathering expertise On Vibration ImpaKt In Nuclear power Generation (GO-VIKING) European project, starting in 2022, aims at increasing the expertise and at improving the tools and skills of the European nuclear stakeholders for the analysis of complex FIV phenomena, in order to maintain and enhance nuclear plant safety. The scope of work package (WP) 4 of GO-VIKING is the generation of high-quality experimental data for FIV in multiphase flows in fuel assemblies and SGs, with the aim of providing a deeper understanding of these complex phenomena and using this data to improve medium-resolution models for two-phase FIV.
In the frame of WP4 of GO-VIKING, IRSN – Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire – proposes the generation of two-phase experimental data inside a SG relevant tube bundle configuration. To achieve this, IRSN developed the experimental device TREFLE [1], located at IRSN in Cadarache. TREFLE allows to realize air-water cross-flows inside a square-pitch 5×5 straight tube bundle. The device is highly instrumented for two-phase flow measurements: optical probes to measure local void fractions and velocities, Wire Mesh Sensor to measure 2D void fraction distributions and high-speed camera to study the flow dynamics. Besides, TREFLE allows to measure the vibration response of the central tube of the tube bundle thanks to accelerometers. A sketch of TREFLE is presented in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 shows some pictures of the two-phase flow generated and observed inside TREFLE.
The experimental data generated with TREFLE will be shared with all GO-VIKING participants, and will be used as reference data for numerical simulation result validation: the experimental tests will be simulated through different multiphase CFD tools by some participants of WP4 (Nuclear Research and consultancy Group (NRG), Teknologian tutkimuskeskus VTT Oy (VTT), Commissariat à l’énergie atomique et aux énergies alternatives (CEA), EDF Energy R&D UK Centre Limited (EDF-E)).
The Reactor Engineering Division of the Jožef Stefan Institute (Ljubljana, Slovenia) is searching for PhD candidates for young researcher positions on the topics of computational fluid dynamics and structural mechanics.
Potential PhD research topics:
– Heat transfer for the forced-convection film boiling conditions
– Material damage under fluid-induced loads
– Flow boiling at high heat fluxes
– Simulations of turbulent stratified flows
The deadline for application is July 31, 2022.
More information on the potential research topics is here.