SCK CEN is looking for 2 PhD researchers in Nuclear Fusion & Geothermal system

The Division of Applied Nuclear Physics at Uppsala University, together with Normandie Université (France) and GANIL, is looking for a doctoral student in experimental nuclear physics with focus on studies of neutron-induced reactions at the NFS (Neutrons For Science) facility at GANIL in Caen, France.

Description of the project: The main goal of this Ph. D. project is to perform experimental studies of different nuclear reactions induced by neutrons: production of light-ions and fission. The experiments will aim at improving the theoretical understanding of different nuclear reaction mechanisms, providing accurate nuclear data to fill gaps in the knowledge base for neutron cross-sections, and at increasing the accuracy of neutron reference cross sections.

The recently constructed NFS facility at GANIL (Caen, France) hosts the experimental setup Medley, developed by Uppsala University, which will be used to perform the envisaged measurements. Further upgrades of the setup, devoted to improve its performance, are ongoing and their implementation will also be a part of the Ph. D. project.

The main task for the PhD candidate will be to conduct cross-section measurements for nuclear fission and production of light ions induced by neutrons in the energy range 1-40 MeV, to collect and analyze data, and to compare the results with existing datasets and predictions of different theoretical model codes for nuclear reactions.

The doctoral student in this project will work in a multi-cultural environment and will have an active role in the group activities such as seminars, workshops, and courses. At the same time, he/she will be expected to work independently and to take personal responsibility for the progression of the project.

Since this Ph. D. project will lead to a double degree from Uppsala University (Sweden) and Normandie University (France), the candidate will spend two years in Caen, and two years in Uppsala.

Basic Information

• Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.
• Starting date: 01-10-2021 or as otherwise agreed.
• Type of employment: Temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7.
• Scope of employment: 100 %.

Opportunity details

Requirements:

• A Master’s degree or equivalent in a field that is relevant for the research project, such as (but not limited to) Physics, Engineering Physics, or similar, is required. However, you can apply already before you obtain the degree.
• Excellent communication skills are required in written and spoken English.

Desirable qualifications and experience:

• Documented experience of working in a physics-based research environment and practical laboratory experience with nuclear and/or particle physics instrumentation and detectors, as well as with pertaining data acquisition systems.
• Since the work involves rather complex data-analysis, we desire proven programming skills. Previous knowledge in ROOT framework and in simulation environments (such as GEANT4, MCNP, FLUKA…) would be highly appreciated. Please provide documentation of the extent and type of experience.
• While the project is mainly experimental, experience and interest in theoretical nuclear physics would be an advantage.

Employment conditions:

The Doctoral student position is a 4-year appointment, shared between Uppsala University (Sweden) and Normandie University (France). The position is fully financed and the salary is in accordance with local guidelines at both universities. The candidate will primarily devote the time to his/her own research studies. Extension by several months in Uppsala is possible by including department duties at a level of at most 20%, typically teaching.

Information on post-graduate education, rules governing the enrollment as a doctoral student in The Higher Education Act and Higher Education Ordinance as well as the rules and regulations for doctoral students at Uppsala University can be found here: http://www.teknat.uu.se/education/postgraduate/

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University’s rules and guidelines.

For further information about the position please contact: Diego Tarrío, Ph.D.; email: diego.tarrio@physics.uu.se; phone: +46 70-167 90 79, Xavier Ledoux, Ph.D.; email: xavier.ledoux@ganil.fr.

Please submit your application by 30 July 2021, UFV-PA 2021/2204.

Proposal in PDF format, available for download HERE

For further information, please visit THIS LINK

Available PhD topics at the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre

Within the Institute for Advanced Nuclear Systems:

• Nuclear magnetic resonance and radiotracing of radioactive Li-8 to study diffusion of different Li+ species in solid electrolytes
• On-line optimization of ISOL@MYRRHA performance through an intelligent and automated control system
• Quantitative Assessment of Corrosion Products Release Rate in Liquid LBE
• Ultrasound detection of Impurity Particles in Liquid LBE

Within the Institute for Environment, Health and Safety:

• Advancement of personal neutron dosimetry by establishment of flexible reference simulated neutron workplace fields and computational neutron dosimetry
• Copper-based materials as potential antimicrobials for spaceflight activities
• Development of 3D models to study cardiac ageing in space
• Elucidation of neurological risks and associated pathways after early-life cranial radiotherapy making use of a novel preclinical model
• Establishing a framework for dosimetry in ultra-short pulsed high dose rate “FLASH” electron radiations
• Evolution of microstructure, mineralogy and mechanical properties of metakaolin-based geopolymer under irradiation at early ages
• Impact on changing soil conditions following inundation on radionuclide and heavy metal (re)mobilization and the interplay with the soil microbiome
• Influence of redox conditions and organic matter on the partitioning and mobility of naturally occurring radionuclides (NOR‘s) in geothermal systems
• Integromics – Towards integration of big biomolecular data to enable systems biology
• Investigation of the effect of the pore fluid chemistry on the hydro-mechanical behavior of Boom Clay (C-H-M coupling behavior of Boom Clay)
• Long-term consequences of exposure to nuclear accident relevant radionuclides in Lemna minor from (epi)genetic to community level effects.
• Modelling of the dose-response for nephrotoxicity in preclinical targeted radionuclide therapy with 161Tb and 177Lu radiolabeled peptides
• Modelling of tumor control probability in preclinical targeted radionuclide therapy
• Multi-scale study of delayed ettringite formation in concrete
• Radiation-induced proneural-mesenchymal transition in glioblastoma: how does it work and how can it be prevented?
• Social dimensions of environmental management
• Studying the long-term effects of the nuclear Chernobyl accident on a radiosensitive plant, Pinus sylvestris, using a multi-level-omics approach
• Synergetic influence of leaching and alkali-silica reaction on the properties of cemented waste-forms containing high nitrate content
• Three Dimensional Flow-field Reconstruction using LIDAR Measurements for Near-Range Atmospheric Dispersion

Within the Institute for Nuclear Materials Science:

• Assessment of low irradiation temperature effects on hardening and embrittlement of reactor materials using destructive and non-destructive damage evaluation techniques
• Designing metal oxide-based stationary phases for the separation of 225Ac and 213Bi for biomedical applications
• Development of a new extraction system for selective americium separation from spent nuclear fuels
• Development of chelators for Ac-225 based radiopharmaceuticals
• Fatigue damage in fusion and GEN IV reactor steels: FEM modelling and experimental study
• Finite element investigations of loading rate and crack configuration effects to extract fracture toughness from the Charpy impact test
• Formation mechanisms of nanovoid and nanobubble superlattices in fissile materials
• Medical radioisotope supply chain design for security: efficiency, alignment and speed
• Thermal Conductivity evolution of MTR fuels with burnup accumulation
• Uranium speciation and corrosion mechanisms in nuclear fuel materials

Basic Information

• Domain : Nuclear Science and Technology
• Country : Belgium
• Organisation : SCK CEN

Important deadlines

Deadline for applications: March 31, 2021
First step: selection based on application file: April 30, 2021
Second step: oral presentation on the research topic: May 19, 20 and 21, 2021
Notification final result (the latest): June 30, 2021
Standard start date (earliest): October 1, 2021

More info HERE