Fuel Performance Specialist

Role description
The Code Development (CDV) unit of the R&D Codes and Methods department at newcleo is seeking applicants for the position of Fuel Performance Specialist in the domain of thermo-mechanics and computer simulation of lead-cooled fast reactors. The Fuel Performance Specialist will support the engineering studies with consolidated knowledge of fuel rod performance. This expertise will be reflected both in the computer code modelling and results analysis, proposing new ideas and solutions with a scientific mindset. This position will supervise and actively contribute to the verification and validation process of the fuel performance computer code TRANSURANUS applied to MOX fuel rods under prolonged irradiation in lead-cooled fast reactors. This role contributes to the company’s objectives in the field of advanced reactor physics and calculation methods.
The CDV unit of the Codes and Methods department supports the development of computer codes, physical correlations and nuclear data, methodologies, and engineering applications for criticality and shielding, reactor design and safety studies. The successful candidate will work jointly and in coordination with other research staff to apply knowledge, practices and techniques to the existing methodologies used for reactor studies.

Main activities

• Participate in individual and collaborative research projects
• Represent the company in international research projects
• Coordinate the fuel performance research group and provide expert judgement
• Implement Verification and Validation of TRANSURANUS physical models for MOX fuel rods
• Develop and support the community of users of the TRANSURANUS computer code
• Support engineers and computer code users in routine design and safety studies
• Prepare technical reports and presentations
• Supervise internship work of undergraduate students

Desired qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering
• Fluent English and Italian; French as optional
• 10+ years of experience in fuel performance study.
• Deep knowledge of thermo-mechanical computer codes used in the nuclear industry.
• Consolidated knowledge of nuclear engineering principles, theories, and practices for the design and analysis of reactor systems, possibly for fast reactors.
• Experience with FORTRAN and Python programming.
• Scientific mindset when approaching new tasks.