PhD student position: Closing the nuclear fuel loop- from waste to fuel

Nuclear energy is a versatile and flexible low-carbon energy source, which can provide an important contribution to the transition toward a decarbonized economy. Closing the nuclear fuel cycle will be the key factor to a sustainable use of nuclear systems for power production. The key components of closing the nuclear fuel cycle is the recycling and refabrication of nuclear fuel.

Project description
This PhD student position relates to projects within the Swedish Competence Centre ANItA (Academic-industrial Nuclear technology Initiative to Achieve a sustainable energy future), which integrates Swedish technical and nontechnical expertise of Uppsala University, Chalmers, KTH, Vattenfall, Uniper, Fortum, Westinghouse, Studsvik Nuclear and the Swedish Energy Agency in nuclear technology and engineering. Collaborative research, development and education of the centre aims to create a Swedish knowledge and competence base needed for the introduction of novel nuclear power technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and provide 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. This offers doctoral students and postdoctoral students a strong research environment, a unique industrial application potential, and excellent opportunities for international partnerships.

The project will primarily focus on near term deployable LWR SMR designs in cooperation with the Centre partners.
The main objectives are:
– Establish a shortlist of suitable SMR designs targeting (primarily) electric power production.
– Assemble key design features and plant data of the selected designs
– Define potential critical further technology development needs focusing with highest priority on simplicity and cost-consciousness, with the same safety requirements as today. This includes construction, commissioning, operation, as well as decommissioning.

The project will provide competence development for young researchers that will allow them to fulfill roles as either future TSO (Technical Support Organisation) personnel that will be required for transition from the current nuclear power plant fleet to a future fleet including or based on SMR technology, or as experts within Swedish nuclear industry. The objective is furthermore to assemble and provide to other Centre projects key design features and plant data required to carry out research on core design, fuel, safety systems, and operational systems.

Major responsibilities
As a PhD student, you are supposed to focus on the research questions relating to your project. In this case the connection of the separation process with the fuel fabrication. This includes developing the chemistry of the CHALMEX separation process as well as adopting the connecting sol-gel process for the fabrication of the fuel. There is a considerable part of hands on laboratory work involving radioactive nuclides which will beperformed in dedicated laboratories with special requirements. In addition, as a PhD student you are supposed to take an active part in the teaching of both B. Sc and M.Sc. students and be included in some departemental work.

Qualifications
To qualify as a PhD student, you must have a master’s level degree corresponding to at least 240 higher education credits in Chemistry or Chemical engineering or similar, preferably with Nuclear Chemistry as speciality. The degree can also be in Nuclear Physics, Reactor Physics or related fields. Experience in solvent extraction or sol-gel processing is desirable. Applications without a documented knowledge in practical chemical laboratory work will be systematically disregarded. Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment is an advantage.

Fluency in English is mandatory, fluency/knowledge of a Nordic language would be meritous as well.

Please observe: Since the department is also a nuclear facility, only citizens of the countries who are signatory of Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons can apply and be considered for the position. Please check the status of your country before applying.

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment. The position is limited to a maximum of five years.

Information the department and the research group

Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is one of the largest departments at Chalmers. We represent a broad field of fundamental and applied research and education within chemistry and chemical engineering. Our research activities reach from fundamental chemistry, chemistry at the interface of biology and medicine, materials science, renewable energy, to chemical engineering processing, material recycling, nuclear chemistry, as well as theory and modelling. We are committed to teaching at the undergraduate, graduate, as well as postgraduate level. Academic freedom, interdisciplinary research, entrepreneurship and making societal impact, are key factors in our work. We strive to offer an environment where you can combine world leading research and teaching with a good work-life balance.

The Division of Energy and Materials, Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling group covers a broad range of research topics. We have more than 50 years of experience in these fields and we are driven by curiosity and boldness. Our research (aside hydrometallurgy applied in various non-nuclear applications), is devoted to the development of a closed nuclear fuel cycle (fuel research, waste management through recycling of spent nuclear fuel for separation for transmutation, novel fuel developments, final repository research) as well as safety of reactors from chemical point of view (current and Gen IV systems) as well as research on severe nuclear accidents.

We offer
Chalmers offers a cultivating and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
Read more about working at Chalmers  and our benefits  for employees.

Chalmers aims to actively improve our gender balance. We work broadly with equality projects, for example the GENIE Initiative on gender equality for excellence . Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
The application should be marked with Ref 20220538 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV:(Please name the document: CV, Family name, Ref. number)
• CV
• Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
• Two references that we can contact.

Personal letter:(Please name the document as: Personal letter, Family name, Ref. number)
1-3 pages where you:
• Introduce yourself
• Describe your previous experience of relevance for the position (e.g. education, thesis work and, if applicable, any other research activities)
• Describe your future goals and future research focus

Other documents:
• Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
• Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, e.g. TOEFL test results.

Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. 

Application deadline: 30 November, 2022

For questions, please contact:
Christian Ekberg, Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling
che@chalmers.se
+46317722801

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our six Areas of Advance; Energy, Health Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Materials Science, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!
 

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