Reactor Physicist

Headline

Help shape the future of Belgian nuclear knowledge!

Highlights

• join our Reactor Physics unit
• analyse data and develop a reliable computational framework
• permanent contract
• multidisciplinary, international and dedicated team

Job description

You will join our Reactor Physics unit and contribute to two major projects of SCK CEN: the SMR-LFR project and the PHOENIX project.

Within the SMR-LFR project, you will contribute to the neutronic analysis of LEANDREA, the LFR prototype. You will provide core design studies such as estimating optimal core layouts, core cycle analysis and depletion, control rod worth analysis etc.

Within the PHOENIX project, you will contribute to the transfer of ownership and analysis of Belgian spent nuclear fuel. You will help develop a reliable computational framework to accurately determine the nuclide inventory and derived quantities of this fuel. More specific:

• for SMR-LFR: analyse the high-level requirements for LEANDREA and contribute to a core design in line with these and other technical constraints
• for PHOENIX: analyse the information provided on fuel assemblies and core loadings and perform a thorough gap analysis to identify missing or inconsistent information
• develop consistent and reproducible models of fuel assemblies and reactor cores, including the formulation and documentation of assumptions
• contribute to the development of a computational framework for fuel assembly and reactor core analysis, nuclide inventory calculations, including decay heat and radiation emission and activation & shielding analysis
• set up a logical data structure for inputs, models and outputs, in collaboration with a knowledge manager, ensuring full traceability and reproducibility of all calculations.
• apply and validate the developed methodology on available reactor physics benchmarks.

Job requirements

• Master’s degree or PhD in Engineering, Engineering Technology or Physics
• solid command of Python or Julia for scientific computing and data analysis; experience with reproducible scientific research is a plus
• experience with Serpent2 Monte Carlo code and/or git is considered an advantage
• interest or background in the nuclear field
• well‑organised, rigorous working style
• strong attention to detail while maintaining awareness of the broader context
• due to the international working context: fluency in English and/or willing to improve your language skills
• ability to work and communicate effectively in a multidisciplinary, international team of engineers and physicists as well as with peers in other organisations.