Chemist

Overview of the role

The choosen candidate will play an active role applying foundational chemistry and develop chemical processes for newcleo Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) technology. Model, process, characterize and test the coolant to gain understanding of the relationships between processing parameters and operational performance. Leverage top-notch experimental and computational infrastructure. Apply chemistry knowledge to solve the main challenges concerning the coolant interaction with reactor materials, fission and activation products, and chemical unit processes for chemistry control, in both normal operations, transients and accidental scenarios.

Main activities

• Understand the coolant properties and performance in Lead Fast Reactors - i.e. concerning chemical unit operations and processes, and interaction with structural materials and lead-facing monitoring equipment.
• The role can have either an experimental or computational focus (or even both), particularly in the realm of chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics for corrosion, oxygen control, dissolution and mobility of fission and activation products:
  • Development and/or use of thermodynamic and kinetic models to understand chemical speciation and mobility of relevant elements.
  • Experimental validation, characterization and testing of lead via chemical methods, as well as support in the engineering of reliable and scalable chemistry control and monitoring strategies for the reactor.
  • Perform foundational studies related to the chemistry of complex compounds to derive phase diagrams needed to underpin assumptions on behavior of materials that impact engineering systems (e.g. oxygen control in the core, fuel handling, off-gas).
• Support the definition, contribute to and/or supervise extended characterization programs, from the laboratory to full-scale level of the reactor chemical systems in normal, transient and accident conditions.
• Follow-up and execute R&D actions related to LFR processes, including development, preparation and participation in kick-off meetings, review meetings, design meetings and studies.
• Coordinate assigned work with other technical personnel as needed, including interns and thesis students, doctoral candidates, internal and external researchers, engineers and technicians.
• Draft, join and execute European projects as participant, WP leader, PRJ leader or advisor.
• Support submissions to national tenders for public funding.
• Disseminate scientific work through participation at national and international conferences, workshops and exhibitions, publications in scientific journals and patent applications.
• Prepare specifications of lead coolant for operating conditions and chemistry control systems.
• Make technical evaluations of manufacturer bids for the supply of equipment.
• Perform quality control & inspections as related to chemistry aspects.
• Manage non-conformities and supervise expediting.
• Contribute to the development and update of newcleo’s general specifications, functional and safety requirements related to reactor chemistry aspects
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary scientific and engineering teams.
• Participate in and foster a work environment that is based upon openness, trust, communication, teamwork, empowerment, innovation, and satisfaction.                                                                                                                  E

Experience required:

Education:      

• A master’s degree in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, or equivalent is a must.
• A Ph.D. in a field relevant to newcleo’s technology is a strong plus.

Languages:    

• Working knowledge of the English language is mandatory.
• Fluent French and/or Italian is desired

Experience / Professional requirements:

• Proven experience researching high temperature, non-aqueous chemical systems is a must.
• Proven experience in at least one amongst the following fields (ideally in the nuclear industry): lead chemistry, process chemistry, chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics.
• Hands-on experience with at least some chemistry lab routine experimental characterization and testing tools, such as mass spectrometry (e.g. GC-MS, ICP-MS), elemental analysis (e.g. ICP-MS/OES, TGA), electrochemical methods (e.g. potentiometric, coulometric, EIS) is considered necessary.
• Hands-on experience or applied knowledge in the field of liquid lead chemistry, such as electrochemical quantification of lead impurities or coupling of CFD with chemical thermodynamics models is a strong plus.
• Experience developing an understanding of chemical speciation through thermodynamic databases such as HSC and ThermoCalc, and chemical mobility and via chemistry modules in CFD software is a plus.