PhD Position on Nuclear fuel chemistry in next generation Lead cooled Fast Reactors

PhD Position on Nuclear fuel chemistry in next generation Lead cooled Fast Reactors

Job description

Light water reactors (LWRs) are currently the reference in the nuclear industry, but the current fleet of reactors will reach in a few years the end of their operating licenses. Generation IV reactors, among which the Lead cooled Fast Reactor (LFR), are currently being developed to provide more efficient, safer, and more sustainable reactor technologies. For the safety assessment of the LFR, a thorough understanding of the fuel chemistry is required. (U,Pu)O2 is currently the reference for such type of reactor, which shows a very complex chemistry upon irradiation. This project will first provide new insights into the fission products chemistry in fast reactor fuel conditions. Moreover, in case of a clad breach, although extremely rare under normal operating conditions, the lead coolant could come into contact with the irradiated nuclear fuel. Depending on conditions inside the reactor, new interaction phases could form with lower density and thermal conductivity than the fuel, leading to fuel swelling and temperature increase, thus affecting the fuel behaviour. In addition, volatile and semi-volatile fission products such as cesium (Cs), iodine (I), molybdenum (Mo) and barium (Ba) that are generated with a high fission yield during irradiation, are a primary concern for the public as they are the main cause for the radiological consequences of a severe accident. To assess the source term (the potential release of fission products to the environment in an accidental scenario), the interaction products between lead and those fission products also need to be scrutinized.

The goal of this PhD will be to improve the understanding of the irradiated fuel chemistry in this fast reactor fuel on the one hand, and to get new insights into the chemistry of the interaction between lead coolant, fuel and fission products, on the other hand. The project will unravel the conditions required for the formation of new interaction phases, their thermal stability and thermodynamic properties, which is essential for the safety assessment of the reactor during operation and accidental conditions.

To achieve this, the candidate will look at the structural and thermodynamic properties of phases stable in the (Pb)-(U-Cs-I-Te-Mo-Ba)-O system. The work will involve solid state synthesis and characterization using X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, the study of the compounds thermal expansion using high temperature X-ray diffraction, as well as calorimetric measurements of the thermodynamic properties. In addition, interaction tests between simulated irradiated fuel and lead will be performed. The collected experimental data will serve as input to develop thermodynamic models of these systems using the CALPHAD method with the Thermocalc and Factsage softwares.

As part of the PhD project, the candidate will supervise bachelor and/or master students, and will contribute to some educational activities.

This PhD position will contribute to activities in the European project TRANSPARANT. It will also involves a collaboration with newcleo (www.newcleo.com/).

Job requirements

We are looking for an outstanding candidate with a master degree in Chemistry, Materials Science, Applied Science or a related field. Candidate should have an affinity for multidisciplinary fields of research and a hands-on attitude towards experimental work. Computer skills in simulation and modelling are also desirable. We expect creativity, flexibility and ability to co-operate within an interdisciplinary research group. Excellent communication skills, including good written and spoken English, as well as the ability to conduct independent scientific work are required. Delft University of Technology is a bilingual organisation; fluency in English is essential.

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 Applied Sciences

With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2901 per month in the first year to € 3707 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Dr Anna L. Smith, associate professor, via a.l.smith@tudelft.nl.