Assistant/Associate Professor Nuclear Energy Technology

Assistant/Associate Professor Nuclear Energy Technology at TU Delft

The Department of Process and Energy of Delft University of Technology, NL, announces an open position for an Assistant Professor or Associate Professor in the field of ‘Nuclear Energy Technology

Job description

The Department of Process & Energy at TU Delft is seeking a new faculty member at the Assistant or Associate level in the field of Nuclear Energy Technology. The ideal candidate is an expert in thermodynamics and transport phenomena who can advance research and education related to nuclear energy conversion systems. We are particularly interested in candidates who, among other topics, study the entire nuclear energy conversion system – including dynamic and part load analysis and related flow and heat transfer aspects in components such as turbines, compressors, pumps, and heat exchangers. Moreover, the ideal candidate should also contribute to the development of next-generation cycles, such as systems with advanced working and heat transfer fluids, thermal storage, and high-temperature hydrogen generation. As fundamental transport phenomena topics are already covered by the department, we are specifically looking for candidates to set up a more application-oriented research line. The successful candidate will contribute to cutting-edge research and to the education of future engineers in a field of nuclear energy.

With this position the Department of Process & Energy of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft aims to strengthen and expand its research and education portfolio in the field of nuclear energy systems. This area is strongly aligned with other sections within the department active in the fields of energy, processes and flow. The position also connects closely to complementary efforts in the Mechanical Engineering Departments of Materials Science and Engineering (e.g., materials for nuclear reactors), Maritime and Transport Technology, and the Faculty of Applied Sciences Department of Radiation Science & Technology (e.g., reactor physics, safety, and simulation). With the support of a well-established national network – including NRG, DIFFER, TNO, Reactor Institute Delft (RID) and companies – the successful candidate will be well-positioned to rapidly develop a leading research program. Knowledge of the Dutch nuclear and energy landscape is considered a strong asset.

Dutch context

In order to generate CO2-neutral electricity in the future, the Dutch government announced in 2021 that it sees a role for nuclear energy again. The Dutch government will keep the current nuclear power plant in Borssele in operation for a longer period of time and make preparations for the construction of two new nuclear power plants. In addition, the development of generation IV nuclear reactors, e.g. molten salt reactors, open the possibility to recycle nuclear waste and close the nuclear fuel cycle. Structurally safeguarding and strengthening of the nuclear knowledge infrastructure in the Netherlands is indispensable for the realization of these ambitions.

Recently, TU Delft has presented an integrated vision of the Netherlands' global position in the nuclear and radiation ecosystem. This ecosystem is a major and crucial contribution to the energy transition, effective healthcare and materials transition. TU Delft has a prominent place in the nuclear ecosystem of the Netherlands with a nuclear knowledge infrastructure that includes a nuclear reactor on campus for research and education purposes. The cold source, which is in operation since a year, makes the reactor even better suited for materials research and education involving neutron scattering and positron annihilation methods for the benefit of the energy transition and the material transition.

Job requirements

The candidate is expected to:

• Focus on the development of educational modules and the supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD students.
• Assume an active and eventually leading role in project acquisition and the management of research, education, and organizational responsibilities related to nuclear energy within the Department of Process & Energy, the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and TU Delft at large.
• Play an active and ultimately leading role in national as well as international networks, institutions, and consortia in the field of nuclear energy systems and technologies.
• To have a PhD degree in mechanical, chemical or nuclear engineering, applied physics, or a related field.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovatiave faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Conditions of employment

The position is at the level of assistant professor (Academic Career Track) or associate professor, depending on background, experience and leadership (potential).

Assistant Professor

During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Associate Professor

For an Associate Professor position, we offer an initial temporary position with the prospect of a permanent contract. The duration of the temporary position is a maximum of 1 year. After a positive performance assessment, you will be employed in a permanent Associate Professor position.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities, plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%. Besides the salary, TU Delft offers the following:

• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discounts with health insurers.
• Flexible working week.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses
• Fully paid pregnancy and maternal leave
• Partially paid parental leave
• Health Coach Program with a focus on healthy and energetic working

We offer a competitive starting package that matches your seniority resource requirements, and also offer access to world-class infrastructure and administrative support in one of the top Engineering and Technology Universities in the world.

If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Christian Poelma, via c.poelma@tudelft.nl.