TEM Specialist

Role description

Play a key role in the development and qualification of advanced materials for newcleo’s Lead Fast Reactor (LFR) by delivering high-level microstructural and nanoscale characterization. Generate fundamental insight into the relationships between processing, microstructure and in-service performance, leveraging state-of-the-art experimental infrastructure. Support the resolution of critical materials challenges affecting fuel elements and reactor components, providing data-driven input to materials selection, design and qualification.

Main activities

• Perform research related to the development of innovative materials for Lead Fast Reactors specifically, structural steels, innovative metallic alloys or ceramic materials for bulk or surface treatment applications.
• Perform measurements, analyze results, and produce characterization reports, with attention to data curation and visualization.
• Lead advanced TEM/STEM characterization activities with full technical responsibility for a double aberration-corrected TEM equipped with EELS, ensuring high-quality, reliable and reproducible results. This includes:
• • TEM sample preparation and assessment (thin foils and lamellae, preferably via FIB),
  • execution of high-resolution TEM and STEM analyses with focus on EELS-based chemical and electronic structure characterization,
  • advanced interpretation and reporting of microstructural and nanoscale features (phases, defects, interfaces, lattice distortions, atomic-scale chemistry) to support the understanding of processing–microstructure–properties relationships
• Act as the TEM technical specialist and reference person, overseeing installation, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the instrument, managing laboratory access, training, safety and quality assurance activities, serving as the primary interface with suppliers and after-sales service, and coordinating TEM-related activities with internal and external users, including technicians, engineers, researchers, doctoral candidates, interns and thesis students.
• Contribute to materials characterization using complementary techniques, such as SEM, XRD or other laboratory-based methods, where relevant to the project needs; experience with additional techniques is valued as an asset but remains secondary to the core TEM/STEM specialist responsibilities.
• 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.
• 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.

Desired qualifications

Education:

• Master’s degree in Materials Science, Physics, Nuclear Engineering or a closely related discipline is required.
• Ph.D. with a strong focus on materials characterization or nuclear materials is highly preferred.
• Specialized training or professional courses in electron microscopy (TEM/STEM, EELS, aberration correction) are considered a strong asset.

Languages:    

• Fluent in Italian and English. French is considered an added value.
• Working knowledge of the English language is mandatory.

Experience / Professional requirements:

• Extensive hands-on experience in TEM/STEM, including high-resolution and aberration-corrected microscopy, with strong competence in advanced detectors and analytical techniques, in particular EELS; experience with EDX, diffraction and FIB-based workflows is expected, while EBSD is considered a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex microstructural and nanoscale phenomena, including defects, interfaces, phase transformations, and radiation-induced damage; prior experience with materials for nuclear applications is strongly preferred.
• Experience with additional characterization techniques (e.g. SEM, XRD, XPS, SIMS, chemical analysis techniques) is considered an added value, but not a core requirement.
• Background in key degradation mechanisms relevant to nuclear systems, such as radiation damage, corrosion in advanced coolants, stress corrosion cracking, or accident-tolerant material concepts, is highly desirable.
• Experience with thermodynamic or materials modelling tools (e.g. Thermo-Calc, JMatPro) is a plus.
• Applied knowledge of computational materials approaches (e.g. molecular dynamics or related methods) is a plus.
• Familiarity with nuclear materials standards and codes (e.g. ASME, RCC-MRx, EURO codes, nuclear pressure equipment regulations) is considered a plus.