Postdoc in core monitoring/reactor physics

Chalmers Tekniska Högskola AB; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 480,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Job summary

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg seeks a postdoctoral researcher to advance neutron noise diagnostics for water‑cooled SMRs, blending physics‑based modeling with artificial intelligence to tackle real-world reactor monitoring challenges.

You will develop computationally efficient anomaly detection methods from neutron signals, validate with high‑fidelity simulations, and contribute to teaching and supervision while collaborating with industry and academia.

Qualifications

• doctoral degree in reactor physics or equivalent before starting the job.
• Strong English communication skills.
• Experience with reactor simulation software and reactor dynamics.
• Strong collaborative and social skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop computationally efficient approaches for anomaly detection based on neutron detector signals.
• Improve robustness of diagnostic methodologies across reactor operating conditions via high-fidelity simulations.
• Advance transparency and explainability of machine learning models for safety-critical nuclear applications.
• Collaborate with industry and academia to ensure relevance for future deployment.
• Publish results in leading journals and present at international conferences.
• Supervise master’s/doctoral students to a certain extent.
• Possible teaching at undergraduate/masters level.

Skills

English communication

Collaborative skills

Teaching potential

Education

Doctoral degree in reactor physics

Tools

Reactor simulation software

Reactor dynamics

Job description

Postdoc in core monitoring/reactor physics

REF 2026-0425

Are you passionate about combining physics-based modeling with artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges? As a postdoctoral researcher, you will pioneer innovative neutron noise diagnostics for nuclear reactors, helping translate breakthrough research into technologies with tangible industrial impact.

Fluctuations in the measured neutron flux around its mean value, known as neutron noise, offer a promising route for the early detection of anomalies in nuclear reactor cores. Unlike other monitoring signals such as pressure or temperature, neutron detectors can identify the effects of local perturbations from locations far removed from the source. This capability arises from the propagation of information through fission and scattering processes within the reactor core.

Modern core diagnostics relies on predicting the reactor response to potential anomalies and comparing these predictions with detector measurements. Recent research has demonstrated that machine learning models trained on simulated reactor data can successfully identify and characterize perturbations from neutron detector signals. Building on these advances, this project aims to further develop and validate these methodologies for the specific case of water‑cooled Small Modular Reactors or SMRs, bringing the techniques closer to practical implementation in industrial reactor monitoring and diagnostics.This project is carried out as part of the ANItA competence centre (Academic Industrial Nuclear Technology Initiative), which is a collaboration between academia and industry in Sweden.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• A doctoral degree in reactor physics or an equivalent foreign degree. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Experience in nuclear reactor simulation software and reactor dynamics
• Personal competences in accordance with the requirements profile including social and intercollaboration skills

You are expected to be somewhat accustomed to teaching, and to demonstrate good potential within research and education.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• It is highly meritorious if the doctoral degree has beenobtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Experience in machine learning

What you will do

• Develop computationally efficient approaches for anomaly detection based on neutron detector signals
• Improve the robustness of diagnostic methodologies across different reactor operating conditions using high-fidelity reactor simulations
• Advance the transparency, explainability, and interpretability of machine learning models for safety-critical nuclear applications
• Collaborate with industrial and academic partners to ensure the relevance and applicability of the developed methods for future deployment
• Publish research results in leading scientific journals and presenting findings at international conferences
• Supervise master’s and/or Doctoral students to a certain extent
• Possibility to engage in teaching at undergraduate/master’s level

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and ourbenefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg .
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

We welcome your application no later than October 4, 2026

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture.With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez - forward.