Senior Scientist within Applied Nuclear Technology

Georgios Kalantzopoulos; Kjeller; On-site; NOK 1,100,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Pension scheme

Insurance

Job summary

Institute of Energy Technology (IFE) in Kjeller, Norway, seeks a motivated senior researcher with expertise in Applied Nuclear Technology, focusing on irradiation technologies, neutron-based systems, and radiation science. You will lead new research initiatives, secure funding, and develop services for industrial partners and international customers.

The role includes expanding the radioactivity laboratories and maximizing the commercial and R&D potential of the facilities on national and

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent) in Nuclear Engineering, Applied Nuclear Physics, Radiation Science, Experimental Nuclear Physics or related field with 5–10 years experience.
• Technical qualifications: experience with neutron generators or accelerator-based neutron sources; gamma irradiation facilities; radiation effects testing; nuclear instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Generate and lead new research initiatives and secure funding from national, international, and industrial sources.
• Develop commercially relevant services based on irradiation technologies and radiation science.
• Expand capabilities of the radioactivity laboratories and collaborate with industrial partners.

Skills

Neutron generators

Accelerator-based neutron sources

Gamma irradiation facilities

Radiation effects testing

Nuclear instrumentation

Project leadership

Education

PhD in Nuclear Engineering

Tools

Neutron generators

Job description

The Institute of Energy Technology (IFE) is an independent research foundation in Norway, with locations in Kjeller and Halden. We are an internationally leading research environment that actively develops innovative solutions through people and technology. We operate under the mission 'Research for a better future'. IFE is a broad interdisciplinary research organization with top-level international expertise in digital technologies, material and process technology, flow and analysis technology, environmental technology, critical raw materials, radiopharmaceutical technology, and nuclear technology and safety.

The Tracer Technology Department at IFE is an internationally recognized research department with a strong and growing focus on applied nuclear technology. For more than 40 years, the department has pioneered tracer technologies and tracing methods used globally to study fluid flow, mass transport, and complex industrial and environmental processes. Today, we have extended our R&D competence and know-how on: tracers for Oil & Gas Industry, tracers for geothermal applications, environmental monitoring, critical raw materials and applied nuclear technology. We conduct research and innovation spanning within radiochemistry, medical radionuclides, neutron technologies, radiation-based industrial services, environmental radioactivity, advanced radioanalytical methods and process analytical chemistry. We are a core member of the Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre (NNRC), and we are hosting a national infrastructure project on neutron generators (HUNT).

A major strategic investment is IFE's future laboratory building, which is planned to house a whole floor of dedicated radioactivity laboratories designed to support advanced research, technology development, testing, and commercial services involving radionuclides, radioactive materials and irradiation. The department has responsibility for the on-going development, and use of IFE’s future radioactivity laboratories when these will be completed. They will comprise of state-of-the-art B-laboratories, neutron generator laboratories, irradiation facilities, a laboratory for processing of radioactive industrial sources, calibration of radiation measuring instruments and has access to extensive radioanalytical laboratories. By combining expertise in nuclear science, radiochemistry, analytical chemistry, and engineering disciplines, the department develops innovative research-based solutions and commercial services that contribute to technological advancement, industrial competitiveness, and the green transition. These facilities will provide a unique national capability for applied nuclear technology research and innovation, enabling us to translate scientific advances into practical solutions for the industry, the public authorities and international partners and customers.

Main responsibilities and work tasks

We are looking for a motivated and business-oriented senior researcher with expertise in Applied Nuclear Technology, with emphasis on irradiation technologies, neutron-based systems, radiation effects, and industrial applications of ionizing radiation.
The successful candidate will generate and lead new research initiatives, secure funding from national, international, and industrial sources, and develop commercially relevant services based on irradiation technologies and radiation science. The role includes working with neutron generators, irradiation facilities, and other advanced radiation-based technologies, while collaborating closely with industrial customers to transform scientific advances into practical and valuable applications. You are strongly expected to develop and further expand the capabilities of the new radioactivity laboratories, and maximize the commercial and R&D potential of these facilities on national and international level.

Educational Background

PhD (or equivalent experience) in Nuclear Engineering, Applied Nuclear Physics, Radiation Science, Experimental Nuclear Physics or a related field with preferably 5-10 years relevant experience after the completion of the Ph.D.
Technical qualifications
Demonstrated experience in neutron generators and accelerator-based neutron sources is desired and in addition in one or more of the following areas:

• Gamma irradiation facilities
• Radiation effects testing of materials and electronic
• Radiation detection and measurement systems
• Nuclear instrumentation
• Neutron imaging and non-destructive testing
• Industrial applications of ionizing radiation
• Radioisotope production or radiochemical applications

Project generation qualifications

• Demonstrated track record of generating externally funded R&D projects from national, European, or industrial funding sources.
• Experience developing commercial research-based services and engaging with industrial partners.

Further experience

• Project leading experience is necessary.
• Experimentalist, with hands-on laboratory work experience.
• Contribution to development of regulatory documents for internal use or for the authorities regarding the instruments or the facility is expected.
• Strong awareness towards Health Safety Environment and Radiation Protection regulations compliance. The latter is highly important.
• Knowledge of nuclear instrumentation is an advantage but not required.
• Excellent communication in oral/written English. Norwegian language skills both oral and written or the genuine interest to learn within two years.

Personality

We are looking for a person who is a genuine team player, who creates safe and trust-based relationships both within our organization and with our customers.

• Motivated and engaging person within the professional area and towards the colleagues.
• Proactive with high degree of initiative and creativity.
• Safe, clear and transparent communicator.
• You can lead project teams while also be a team-member.
• You should be solution-oriented.
• Structured.
• You take responsibility.
• You take decisions in line with the department and the organization.
• You enjoy cooperating with both academic and industrial partners.

We offer

• Competitive salary, pension- and insurance schemes.
• Exciting and challenging tasks in a team that works in the forefront of research.
• Participation in a leading international research team.
• Collaboration with other departments.
• Competent and easy to collaborate colleagues in a professional environment that values mutual growth.
• A growing and healthy organization that is focused on individual and group development.
• Flexible working hours.

We place great emphasis on your personal suitability for the position. IFE is subject to the Security Act, which includes requirements for the organisation’s management of critical national information, as well as other relevant legislation concerning the management of sensitive information. The successful applicant for the position advertised will have access to classified information and critical national objects and infrastructure. In order to meet the qualification criteria, the applicant must therefore meet the security clearance and/or authorisation requirements. Note that relevant applicants will be asked questions that are necessary to ascertain this. This includes questions about any ties to countries that the PST has classified as a ‘high‑risk country’ in its open threat assessment. Background checks are performed as part of our recruitment process.

Kontaktinformasjon

Georgios Kalantzopoulos,Department Head
Christian Dye,Research Director,415 11 823

Arbeidssted

Instituttveien 18
2007Kjeller

Nøkkelinformasjon:

Arbeidsgiver: Institutt for energiteknikk (IFE)
Referansenr.: 5188929381
Stillingsprosent: 100%
Permanent position
Søknadsfrist: 30.10.2026