Senior Research Scientist – Nuclear Propulsion

DNV; Oslo; Hybrid; NOK 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

International environment

6 weeks vacation

Relocation assistance

Job summary

DNV is recruiting for a senior research role in Group Research and Development, focusing on maritime nuclear propulsion. You will lead analyses in nuclear thermo-hydraulics, contribute to PSA/PRA, and support licensing considerations in national and international contexts.

The role offers a hybrid base in Høvik, Norway with relocation support if needed, and collaboration with universities and regulators on frontier research and publications.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master in Physics, Mechanical Engineering or Process Engineering.
• Ability to work independently on complex technical topics.
• Strong analytical skills and engineering judgment.
• Clear communication of technical results to diverse audiences.
• Structured, proactive, and result-oriented research approach.
• Authorship of peer-reviewed publications and conference participation.
• Willingness to collaborate across disciplines and develop team competence.

Responsibilities

• Perform and lead analyses in nuclear thermo-hydraulics with coupled simulations.
• Contribute to nuclear safety assessments, PSA/PRA, and risk-informed decisions.
• Support licensing perspectives, interpreting nuclear regulations for maritime propulsion.
• Develop and evaluate models for coupled physical systems and simulations.
• Collaborate with industry, regulators, research institutions, and universities.
• Contribute to research strategy, competence development, and publications.

Skills

Analytical skills

Independent work

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

PhD or Master in Physics/Mechanical Eng/Process Eng

Tools

Modeling tools

Job description

About Us

We are the independent expert in assurance and risk management. Driven by our purpose, to safeguard life, property, and the environment, we empower our customers and their stakeholders with facts and reliable insights so that critical decisions can be made with confidence.

As a trusted voice for many of the world’s most successful organizations, we use our knowledge to advance safety and performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions to tackle global transformations.

About Group Functions

Group functions in DNV are experts on finance and accounting, human resources, communication and sustainability, legal, tax and compliance – providing company-wide support, governance and strategic projects. Group also includes our strategic Research and Development unit, which provides science-based insights and foresight to tackle transformations and challenges across the industries we serve.

About The Role

Group Research and Development (GRD) performs strategic and applied research for DNV, focusing on knowledge development, through collaborations with academia and industry, providing thought leadership through external publications and forecasts. The Maritime Research Program focuses on the strategic objective to continue to lead in maritime classification, and become a leader in safety assurance for complex, high-risk systems.

The program has been expanded by establishing a Nuclear Propulsion team on which focuses on:

• Model based safety assessment and evaluation in the context of commercial propulsion.
• Understanding and evaluation of nuclear regulations in the context of commercial propulsion.
• Harmonizing the Risk and Safety methodology in maritime and nuclear industries.
• Implications and new failure modes of nuclear reactor applications in maritime propulsion.
• Small modular reactor development for application in land and floating nuclear power plants.
• Scientific publications and conferences presentations to build new knowledge and share DNV work.
• Participation in research consortiums and publicly funded projects to build knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Perform and lead analyses in nuclear thermo-hydraulics, with emphasis on coupled simulations and/or whole-plant transient analyses in the context of maritime nuclear propulsion.
• Contribute to and develop nuclear safety assessments, including probabilistic safety analysis (PSA/PRA) and risk informed-decision support.
• Support licensing perspectives, including interpretation of nuclear regulatory requirements and safety justification in a national and international perspective.
• Develop, apply, and evaluate models and simulation tools for coupled physical systems (thermo-hydraulics, neutronics, transient analyses, safety assessments).
• Collaborate with industry, regulators, research institutions, and universities in joint research and advisory activities.
• Contribute to research strategy, competence development, and scientific publications.

This is a hybrid position based in Høvik, Norway (near Oslo), with a combination of office-based and remote work.

We welcome applications from candidates both within and outside Norway. For candidates who require it, DNV may provide relocation support, subject to individual circumstances.

What we offer

• A strong company culture with an emphasis on competence development
• Opportunity to collaborate with world-class universities and industry partners, to publish work in international journals and attend scientific conferences.
• Great colleagues who value teamwork and support
• Attractive total compensation package
• 6 weeks annual vacation
• International working environment
• Flexible working hours and focus on work/life balance
• Interesting and challenging projects, both national and international
• Be part of a world-leading company that has a global reach with more than 15 000 employees around to world and is headquartered in Norway
• Close access to the sea and surrounding park with possibility for different sport and outdoor activities
• Free shuttle bus fromSandvikaandSkøyen to DNV

DNV is an Equal Opportunity Employer and gives consideration for employment to qualified applicants without regard to gender, religion, race, national or ethnic origin, cultural background, social group, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status,ageor political opinion. Diversity is fundamental to ourculture,and we invite you to be part of this diversity.

About You

• PhD or Master's degree in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Process Engineering or a related field.
• Ability to work independently and take responsibility for complex technical topics.
• Strong analytical skills and sound engineering judgment.
• Ability to communicate technical results clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Structured, proactive, and result oriented approach to research and problem solving.
• Authorship of peer-reviewed publications and active participation to scientific conferences and internal presentations.
• Willingness to collaborate across disciplines and contribute to team competence development.

Application deadline: 30.09.26

Security and compliance with statutory requirements in the countries in which we operate is essential for DNV. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates as part of the offer process, in accordance with applicable country-specific laws and practices.