Postdoc in core monitoring/reactor physics

Chalmers University of Technology; Göteborgs kommun; On-site; SEK 536,000 - 670,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee benefits

Dynamic working environment in Gothen­

Move To Gothenburg resources

Job summary

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg invites a postdoctoral researcher to combine physics-based modelling with AI to advance neutron noise diagnostics for water-cooled SMRs. You will develop robust methods and validate them with high-fidelity simulations, collaborating with industry and academia to ensure industrial impact.

You will publish in leading journals, supervise master’s and doctoral students, and may engage in teaching at undergraduate/masters level.

Qualifications

• PhD in reactor physics or equivalent degree.
• Strong written and verbal English communication.
• Experience in nuclear reactor simulation software and reactor dynamics.
• Strong social and collaboration skills.
• Some teaching experience or potential.

Responsibilities

• Develop computationally efficient approaches for anomaly detection based on neutron detector signals.
• Improve robustness of diagnostics across reactor operating conditions using high-fidelity simulations.
• Advance transparency and interpretability of AI models for safety-critical nuclear applications.
• Collaborate with industry and academia for future deployment.
• Publish research results in leading journals and present at conferences.
• Supervise master’s/doctoral students to a certain extent.
• Engage in teaching at undergraduate/masters level when possible.

Skills

English communication

Teaching potential

Collaboration skills

Social/intercollaboration skills

Education

Doctoral degree in reactor physics

Tools

Nuclear simulation software

Deterministic simulation software

Machine learning

Job description

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.

About Us

The Reactor Physics, Modelling and Safety group at Chalmers develops advanced methods for modelling, simulation, monitoring and safety analysis of current and next-generation nuclear reactors. Combining expertise in reactor physics, thermal-hydraulics, diagnostics and nuclear safeguards, the group conducts both fundamental and applied research in close collaboration with international partners and industry.

About The Research Project

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 been obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline
• Experience in using deterministic nuclear simulation software
• Experience in developing deterministic nuclear simulation software
• 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.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

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

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

We welcome your application no later than October 4, 2026

For Questions, Please Contact

Christophe Demazière

Professor

[e-mail]

[phone]

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.