Spent Nuclear Fuel Expert - Reactor/neutron physicist

ONDRAF/NIRAS is the body responsible for radioactive waste management in Belgium. Its main objective is to effectively protect mankind and the environment, now and in the very long term, from the potential risks associated with the existence of radioactive waste. Would you like to find out more about our activities? Visit our website at www.ondraf.be.

 

Given its social responsibility, safety, health and the environment are important areas for ONDRAF/NIRAS, and we intend to work together to achieve continuous improvement.

 

 

 

To strengthen its RD&D department, ONDRAF/NIRAS is currently looking for a :

Spent Nuclear Fuel Expert - Reactor/neutron physicist

 

 

 

Context

ONDRAF/NIRAS is preparing for the future transfer of the management of spent nuclear fuel from the nuclear power plants to ONDRAF/NIRAS. To this end, ONDRAF/NIRAS would like to recruit a Spent Nuclear Fuel Expert. The candidate we are looking for will bring the technical and scientific knowledge and experience needed to characterise spent nuclear fuel. This characterisation is necessary to ensure the long-term management of spent fuel and to further develop related expertise. Through interactions with the nuclear power plant operator and the fuel owner, ONDRAF/NIRAS will obtain information on the properties of the fuel at fabrication and during and after irradiation in the reactor. ONDRAF/NIRAS also needs to understand the underlying methodologies (calculations, measurements, codes, etc.). The aim is to enable the team to correctly carry out simulations of reactor cycles, calculations of neutron transport and fuel depletion and simulations of the thermomechanical behaviour of fuel. The results of these simulations must be validated by destructive and non-destructive analyses that ONDRAF/NIRAS entrusts to specialist laboratories.

All of this is part of ONDRAF/NIRAS's future responsibilities for the storage of spent nuclear fuel and the preparation of subsequent management, in particular final disposal.

 

 

 

Responsibilities

As a Spent Nuclear Fuel Expert, you will contribute to the knowledge build-up and the characterisation of spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants with a view to its long-term management. The aim is to contribute to the development of a long-term solution, to prepare the future license application and to preserve this knowledge for future generations.

More specifically:

• You play an active role in interactions with the various stakeholders (such as nuclear power plant operators, research institutes, safety authorities, etc.) and work with their technical teams to ensure knowledge transfer.


• You are responsible for the simulations required to determine the radiological content and thermomechanical state of the fuel.


• You identify the studies and tests needed to validate the results of these simulations, including the budget and resources, and you justify the needs analysis with well-founded arguments. You plan and coordinate projects in collaboration with third parties selected by you. You manage resources and the budget.


• You evaluate the results obtained and liaise with other ONDRAF/NIRAS colleagues in order to integrate these results into all programmes.


• You contribute to the development and maintenance of the database and carry out checks on the data.


• You maintain a network of contacts with external experts at both national and international level (engineering offices, universities, specialist companies, research centres, expert platforms, etc.).


• You actively monitor developments in the state of the art in the field and keep a close eye on new information, trends, models, etc.

 

 

 

Your profile

• You have a degree in (civil) engineering or a Masters/Doctorate in physics or equivalent experience, with a specialisation in nuclear energy.


• You speak and write Dutch or French fluently and are willing to improve your knowledge of the other national language. You have a sufficient command of English to be able to communicate professionally at international level.
  If you don't speak Dutch or French, you have a perfect command of English. You are also prepared to develop your knowledge of Dutch and/or French at short notice.

• You have at least ten years' experience in a related field. Experience in R&D or in the operation of a nuclear reactor is an asset.


• You have a good knowledge of certain reactor/neutron physics calculation codes, such as Serpent2, MCNP, ORIGEN/SCALE, ALEPH2, FRAPCON, WIMS, PANTHER, etc.


• You are capable of integrating multidisciplinary technical and scientific aspects and combining them with the administrative management of files and data.


• You have an analytical mind coupled with a rigorous, methodical and pragmatic approach. You are able to summarise and carry out the necessary actions and tasks in a concrete, targeted and efficient manner.


• You have good organisational skills, enabling you to manage several matters simultaneously. You manage your time efficiently and are results-oriented.


• You make yourself available and can adapt your communication style to different situations and stakeholders. You have excellent writing skills and a professional, fluent presentation style.


• You have a good command of standard office software.


• You agree to make regular visits to the sites where the research programmes are being carried out, as well as abroad.

 

 

 

ONDRAF/NIRAS offers you :

• a full-time, permanent contract with a comfortable salary and extra-legal benefitssuch as group and hospital insurance and luncheon vouchers;


• an excellent work-life balance, with flexible working hours, at least 41 days annual leave and the possibility of remote working up to two days a week (after a three-month familiarisation phase);


• modern working tools and a pleasant working environmentthat facilitates collaboration and brainstorming;


• participative management focused on communication and cohesion ;


• a training/coaching programmeto develop your expertise and skills.

 

 

 

Place of work 

You will generally work in our Brussels offices (32, boulevard du Roi Albert II, 1000 Brussels). Interactions with the nuclear power plants operator and the nuclear fuel owner require regular visits to their offices (a short walk from our Brussels offices).

It is also possible to work remotely, after a three-month familiarisation phase and in consultation with your manager.

 

 

 

How to apply?

Are you interested in this job? Click on the button below to apply! If you know someone who has the necessary qualifications and would be interested in this exciting opportunity, please feel free to forward this vacancy.

If you have any questions, please contact our recruitment team at jobs@nirond.be.