PhD scholarship in the Physics and Chemistry of Fuel Salts for Molten Salt Reactors – DTU Physics

Are you establishing a scientific career in physics, chemistry or materials science, aiming at making substantial contribution towards sustainable nuclear energy technology? Here is the chance to fulfill your dreams in a cross-disciplinary setting.

At the Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology, we strive to develop Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) technology for the next generation nuclear energy systems. We are looking for a PhD student to develop a better understanding of the thermophysical properties of (fluoride) fuel salts proposed for the innovative MSR designs. The MSR, while holding the promise of safe and continuous energy supply for both electricity and heat, key challenges remain in characterizing the complex thermophysical properties of fluoride fuel salts proposed for MSRs, as these become contaminated with a range of fission and activation products, as well as corrosion products released from the salt-containment materials. This understanding of the properties of the fuel salts under realistic MSR operating conditions is fundamental for the modelling effort to optimize MSR performance and to ensure safe operation. The cross-cutting research is interdisciplinary, combining physics, chemistry and materials science and will be instrumental for making substantial progress in developing MSR technology. The PhD project is a joint collaboration between DTU and the EU Joint Research Center, Karlsruhe, a leading European research center for nuclear energy.

Responsibilities and qualifications
In this PhD project we aim to determine the effect of model-selected fission- and corrosion products on the thermophysical properties of different fluoride fuel salts proposed for MSR systems, in particular eutectic compositions of NaF-KF-UF4 (FUNaK) salts. We hypothesize that these investigations will allow us to determine the thermophysical properties for fuel salts containing a range of relevant fission and corrosion products.

In the project, the PhD student will use physics and chemistry-based modelling and simulation to specify realistic compositions of FPs and corrosion products predicted to form during MSR operation, accounting for both burnup, corrosion and possibly on-line chemical processing of the salts. At JRC Karlsruhe he/she will synthesize the fuel salts and measure their thermophysical properties in collaboration with the JRC scientists. Post-processing of these data will eventually be used to refine chemical models of the fuel salts and provide input data for multiphysics simulations of MSRs.

Your primary tasks include: 

• Neutronics modelling by Monte Carlo and/or deterministic codes for determining FP inventories
• Chemical thermodynamics modelling using CALPHAD 
• Corrosion experiments 
• Lab work at JRC
• Post-processing of thermophysical data

Qualifications:

• You must hold an MSc, preferably within physics, chemistry or materials science, and with the incentive to perform interdisciplinary research
• Experience with physics and/or chemical modelling 
• Preferably practical experience in laboratory work 
• The ability to work in an international and cross-disciplinary team

You must have a two-year master's degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to a two-year master's degree.

Approval and Enrolment 
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU's rules for the PhD education . 

Assessment
The assessment of the applicants will be made by center leader Bent Lauritzen, prof. Klaus B Møller, and prof. John Hald. 

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and appointment terms 
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. 

The period of employment is 3 years. Starting date is 1 December 2024 (or according to mutual agreement). The position is a full-time position.

You can read more about career paths at DTU here http://www.dtu.dk/english/about/job-and-career/working-at-dtu/career-paths.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from Bent Lauritzen ([email protected] ), Klaus B Møller ([email protected] ), or John Hald ([email protected] ).

You can read more about at DTU Physics at www.fysik.dtu.dk/english/. 

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU. 

Application procedure 
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 30 August 2024 (23:59 Danish time) . Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply now", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file . The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae 
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master's degree but cannot begin before having received it. 

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Centre for Nuclear Energy Technology brings together the academic environments at DTU, engaged in nuclear power technology. The Centre aims to strengthen research in nuclear energy, to expand nuclear education, and to strengthen collaboration with academia and companies working on nuclear energy innovation.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,500 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.