PhD student position in Impact of Radiation Chemistry on surface processes

Project description
This work (leading to a double degree) will be performed at the division of Energy and Materials at Chalmers and the Division of Applied Physical Chemistry at KTH. In this project, the mechanisms behind corrosion, oxide deposition and oxide release in nuclear reactor systems will be studied with particular emphasis on the role of water radiolysis. The aim of the project is to identify situations where a simplified approach (not taking all aspects of water radiolysis into account) can be sufficient to mimic the surface processes and situations where this is not sufficient.

Surface reactions such as metal corrosion, oxide deposition and oxide release/dissolution are processes that have significant impact on the performance of and occupational safety around nuclear reactors. These processes are largely governed by the fairly harsh conditions prevailing inside a nuclear reactor. These conditions include high temperatures, high pressures, intense neutron fluxes and intense gamma fluxes.The primary oxidative radiolysis products in gamma-irradiated water are hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), the hydroxyl radical (HO•) and to some extent also the hydroperoxyl radical (HOO•). Molecular oxygen (O2) is subsequently formed as a secondary oxidative radiolysis product. These products may react with metal and metal oxide surfaces either by redox reactions or via surface catalyzed decomposition. The redox reactions lead to corrosion of the surfaces and the oxides formed may subsequently be dissolved and released to the coolant water. The dissolved corrosion products may deposit on other system surfaces, in particular heat-exchanging surfaces, and form crud.

Information about the departments and the research groups
Chalmers University of Technology's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering has about 300 employees which are working within four research divisions and one administrative unit.  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

The Department of Chemistry at KTH is one of the largest departments within the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). It consists of four divisions: Applied Physical Chemistry, Glycoscience, Organic Chemistry and Surface and Corrosion Science.

The scientific core of the department is synthesis and characterization of functional molecules, materials and surfaces supported by method and technique development.

The department belongs to the School of Engineering Sciences in Chemistry, Biotechnology and Health. The Nuclear Chemistry research group belongs to the division of Applied Physical Chemistry. The group currently consists of 1 professor, 1 senior scientist and 6 PhD students. The main research focus of the group is radiation chemistry with focus on interfacial radiation chemistry (including radiation driven corrosion of metals and alloys and radiation induced dissolution of nuclear fuel), radiation synthesis of nanoparticles and homogeneous radiation chemistry.

More information can be found on the webpage: https://www.kth.se/che

Contract terms
Full-time temporary employment, limited to a maximum of five years.

Application procedure
To apply, please go to: https://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/Working-at-Chalmers/Vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=9362

Application deadline: 12 April, 2021