SENIOR RESEARCHER POSITION IN MODELING AND SIMULATION OF SMALL MODULAR REACTORS (SMRS)

Biotechnological Processes Unit from IMDEA Energy; Indiana (PA); On-site; USD 102,000 - 148,000; Full time

Job summary

IMDEA Energía Institute is opening a Senior Researcher Position in the Nuclear Technology Unit for Modeling and Simulation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The selected candidate will lead research lines, guide postdoctoral staff, collaborate with CSN and industry, and contribute to the unit's scientific roadmap and international projects.

Qualifications

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering or related fields.
• Postdoctoral research experience of 10+ years in nuclear technology or computational simulation.
• Experience leading national/European/international R&D projects.
• Experience supervising research or technical personnel.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Define and implement the scientific and technological strategy for modeling and simulation of SMR reactors.
• Develop advanced capabilities for comprehensive SMR modeling from data to reactor behavior.
• Lead research line activities within your expertise, including digital twins and safety studies.
• Coordinate with regulatory bodies and industry partners on safety studies and licensing.
• Secure competitive funding from European, national, and regional projects and contracts.
• Coordinate scientists and technicians and train junior researchers.
• Disseminate results via publications, reports, conferences, and technology transfer.

Job description

Senior researcher position in modeling and simulation of small modular reactors (SMRs)

• Offer list
• 26.63 TN4 SEN

Application Form Deadline: Oct 7th, 2026

IMDEA Energy Institute is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence dedicated to conducting research and development (R&D) in the fields of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, while fostering strong partnerships with leading companies in the energy sector (www.energy.imdea.org).

Description

IMDEA Energía is opening a Senior Researcher Position in the Nuclear Technology Unit specialized in Modeling and Simulation of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

The selected candidate will support the Head of the Nuclear Technology Unit by leading one or more of the Unit's research lines, such as the modeling and simulation of SMR nuclear reactors, including reactor physics, neutronics, thermohydraulics, nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear safety analysis, radiation protection, multiphysics simulation, and digital twins applied to advanced nuclear technologies.

The candidate must contribute to defining the scientific and technological roadmap of their line of research, participate in national and international R&D projects, and coordinate and supervise the postdoctoral, predoctoral and technical staff under their charge.

Tasks Description:

• Participate in the definition and implementation of the scientific and technological strategy for modeling and simulation of SMR nuclear reactors.
• Contribute to the development of advanced capabilities for comprehensive modeling and simulation of SMRs, from nuclear data to reactor behavior.
• Lead activities related to the research line(s) within your area of expertise, which may include, among others, computational simulation of SMR reactors, analysis of the complete nuclear fuel cycle, development of digital twins of SMRs, or studies of nuclear safety, radiological protection, and environmental impact associated with SMR technologies.
• Support the Head of the Nuclear Technology Unit in collaborating with regulatory bodies, nuclear authorities, particularly the Nuclear Safety Council (CSN), technical/research organizations, Universities, and industrial entities regarding technology and nuclear safety studies in SMRs.
• Actively participate in securing competitive funding through European, national, and regional projects, as well as R&D contracts with companies in the energy, nuclear, and industrial sectors.
• Coordinate the team of scientists and technicians under your supervision and contribute to the training of young researchers and technical staff.
• Disseminate research results through scientific publications, technical reports, participation in national and international conferences, workshops, and technology forums, and in technology transfer activities with industry.

Requirements

Compulsory Requirements

• PhD in Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Physics, Reactor Physics, Energy Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, or related fields.
• Demonstrable postdoctoral research experience of at least 10 years in the field of nuclear technology, computational simulation of advanced nuclear systems, or related disciplines.
• Participation in national, European, or international R&D projects related to modeling, simulation, computational analysis, nuclear safety, fuel cycles, or advanced nuclear technologies.
• Experience in having a leading role related to the activities in the previously mentioned projects.
• Experience supervising research or technical personnel.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Merits To Value

• Specific experience in small modular reactors (SMRs), advanced reactors, microreactors, or new nuclear reactor concepts.
• Experience in coupled multiphysics simulation, including neutronics, thermohydraulics, fuel behavior, heat transfer, systems dynamics, or transient analysis.
• Knowledge of nuclear simulation codes and tools, especially open-source ones.
• Experience with scientific programming tools or languages such as Python, C/C++, Fortran, Julia, MATLAB, OpenMC, Serpent, MCNP, SCALE, RELAP, TRACE, MOOSE, OpenFOAM, or other relevant tools.
• Experience in developing digital twins, digital reactors, reduced-scale models, life cycle simulation, or applying artificial intelligence and machine learning to nuclear simulation.
• Experience in the assessment of advanced nuclear fuel cycles, including the simulation of advanced reactors and fuels.
• Experience in nuclear safety studies, radiation protection, environmental impact, emergency response, physical security, or nuclear licensing.
• Knowledge of the Spanish, European, or international nuclear regulatory framework, and experience collaborating with regulatory bodies, nuclear authorities, or technical support organizations.
• Experience leading research teams.
• Experience securing competitive funding from national or international sources, or R&D contracts with companies.
• Relevant scientific or technological output in the form of publications, participation in workshops and conferences, software development, methodologies, technical reports, patents, databases, prototypes, or results transferable to industry.
• Experience establishing or leading collaborations with research centers, universities, companies, international organizations, and technology platforms in the nuclear and energy sectors.

Selection Criteria

• Relevance of academic background to the requested profile.
• Work experience related to the profile of the job position.
• Motivation for accomplishing high-quality research.

Conditions

Remuneration:

Depending upon qualification and expertise.

• The contract includes all the benefits of the Spanish Public Health and Social Security System.

Type of contract:

Permanent contract for scientific and technical activities.

Workplace

IMDEA Energía: Móstoles, Madrid.

Documents

• PhD Certificate
• Motivation Letter

Final decisions will be personally communicated by e-mail to all candidates.

Equal opportunities are guaranteed in the selection process, without any forms of discrimination. Female applicants are encouraged to apply to favor parity in employment.

IMDEA Energy commitment is to guarantee equality in measures to balance personal, family and working life and to promote gender equality.