PhD position in High temperature material degradation in LEAD/BISMUTH

Information about the division and the research
The division of Energy and Materials hosts the research group of Nuclear Chemistry / Industrial Materials Recycling comprising 8 senior scientists as well as 11 PhD students and postdocs, headed by two professors in Nuclear Chemistry and Industrial Materials Recycling. The research group is highly international and has a wide international network.

Besides the research on material interactions in reactors at elevated temperatures, the group is  specialized in aqueous chemistry and solvent extraction used for both recycling of materials and nuclear applications.

In the field of nuclear chemistry, there are four major research areas: 1)  novel nuclear fuels for the generation IV nuclear power systems, 2) radionuclide release from severe nuclear accidents, 3) partitioning and transmutation of spent fuel, and 4) final repository of radioactive waste. The nuclear chemistry research facilities are unique for an university in Europe, with a dedicated alpha laboratory for nuclear fuel research and a gamma lab with "hot cell" and irradiation source. In addition, there are several radiochemistry laboratories for trace-level work.

More information about the groups can be found on the webpage: https://www.chalmers.se/en/departments/chem/research/energymaterials/Pages/default.aspx

Currently we have two more PhD positions available, for more information and to apply for the other positions please follow the links below: 
PhD student position in Tellurium interactions with organics
PhD student position in Radiolysis and nuclear fuel dissolution

Major responsibilities
The succesful candidate will take several important steps to increase the understanding of and opportunities to investigate the reactor safety for Lead and Pb/Bi -Cooled Gen IV Reactors within EURATOM-finnanced project PASCAL. The project is higly international and provides an inspiring and stimulating work environment, with possibilities for mobility and networking.

The project is focussing on Pb/LBE-JOG  (Joint Oxide Gain) /clad interaction tests near clad melt temperature. Fuel Cladding Mechanical Interactions (FCMI) and Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) occur during reactor operation at the interface with the cladding due to the release of the gaseous and solid fission products, resulting in a more corrosive environment. These phenomena can lead in turn to further/more frequent cladding failures.

Although extremely rare under normal operating conditions, the risks and aftermaths associated with a clad breach and chemical interaction between the irradiated fuel and the Pb/LBE coolant must be well understood for a thorough safety assessment of the fuel pin behaviour. A clad breach can occur during normal operation due to manufacturing defaults in the cladding material, or as a consequence of the mechanical and chemical interactions between fuel and cladding. It can also occur during accidental conditions in the event of a cooling default or unexpected change in neutron flux. During irradiation, fission products such as cesium (Cs), iodine (I), tellurium (Te), molybdenum (Mo), barium (Ba) and strontium (Sr) are generated with a high fission yield in the nuclear fuel and could contaminate the coolant following fuel-coolant interaction. These are a primary concern for the public as they are the main causes for the radiological consequences of a severe accident.

Fuel Cladding Mechanical Interactions (FCMI) and Fuel Cladding Chemical Interactions (FCCI) occur during reactor operation at the interface with the cladding due to the release of the gaseous and solid fission products, resulting in a more corrosive environment. These phenomena can lead in turn to further/more frequent cladding failures.

Chalmers will study the interactions in the system formed by the coolant (LBE/Pb,) the fuel cladding and fission product compounds/SIM JOG phases in a range of temperatures starting at 500°C and going up to very high temperatures around the clad melting temperature near 1500°C. The SIM/JOG phases will be jointly developed within the project.

The candidate's work will be mainly experimental. Results will however be evaluated and brought into context by the project partners from theoretical and computational chemistry. The use of radioactive tracers, work in a controlled environment as well as access to corrosion labs and microscopy infrastructure is foreseen

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

Qualifications
The successful candidate should have:
(1) MSc in Chemistry
(2) Expertise in experimental work in Chemistry.
(3) Good communication skills in written and spoken English
(4) Able to work independently and take responsibility for progress and quality of the project  

Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to this webpage 

Application deadline: 25 February, 2021

For questions, please contact:
Prof. Teodora Retegan Vollmer, Energy and Materials, tretegan@chalmers.se
Dr. Christine Geers, Energy and Materials, geersc@chalmers.se