Research Assistant/Associate in Atomic Scale Modelling of Actinide Oxides

This is an exciting opportunity to work on an EPSRC responsive mode grant on Compositional and Structural Evolution of Plutonium Dioxide: Underpinning Future Decisions, which was awarded to Manchester University in partnership with Imperial College London and the National Nuclear Laboratory.  Your role will be to develop cutting edge models using molecular dynamics of defect structures, non-stoichiometry and surfaces in plutonium dioxide. To...

Job listing information

• Reference ENG01616
• Date posted 19 March 2021
• Closing date 19 April 2021

Key information about the role

• Location South Kensington Campus (map)
• Position type Full time, fixed term
• Salary £36,045 – £48,340 plus benefits
• Department Department of Materials
• Category Researcher / Non Clinical Researcher

Job description

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to work on an EPSRC responsive mode grant on Compositional and Structural Evolution of Plutonium Dioxide: Underpinning Future Decisions, which was awarded to Manchester University in partnership with Imperial College London and the National Nuclear Laboratory. 

Your role will be to develop cutting edge models using molecular dynamics of defect structures, non-stoichiometry and surfaces in plutonium dioxide. To be able to relate these structure models to key properties of PuO₂ that underpin decisions concerned with disposal and storage.

To help other PDRAs in this project in the interpretation of their experimental and DFT modelling results by developing mechanistic models. Also, to determine differences with previous empirical model predictions. 

Furthermore, you are expected to develop strong collaborations with other modelling PDRAs within the Centre for Nuclear Engineering group at Imperial College who are working on related systems.

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Research

• To conduct excellent research involving the use of molecular dynamics simulations to predict defect properties of PuO₂.
• To assess and develop interatomic potentials as needed to predict materials behaviour.
• To relate predictions of defect properties to key materials thermophysical properties.
• To understand calculations based on DFT simulations.
• To work collaboratively with other members of the research group.
• To achieve the milestone and deliverables set out by this research consortium’s management group.
• To direct and support the work of small research teams including undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• To draft publications and prepare them for submission to high impact refereed journals.
• To prepare material for presentation in oral and poster formats and to deliver presentations at seminars, conferences and workshops.
• To maintain accurate and complete records of all findings and to ensure that research data is managed appropriately.
• To write reports for use internally and by research sponsors as required.
• To contribute to writing bids for research grants.
• To take responsibility for organising resources and effective decision making in support of research.

• To develop contacts and research collaborations within the College and the wider nuclear community especially within Manchester University, and wider nuclear stakeholders.
• To promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College.

Essential requirements

Research Associate: Hold, a PhD (or equivalent) in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering or materials engineering

Research Assistant: Near completion of PhD (or equivalent) in nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering or materials engineering

Further information

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £36,045 - £39,183 per annum.

Further information can be obtained from Professor Robin Grimes. r.grimes@imperial.ac.uk.

Further guidance may be sought from Mrs Darakshan Khan (d.khan@imperial.ac.uk).