PhD Student

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.

PhD Student

Your tasks

• Topics of the PhD thesis: Evaluation of fuel cycle sustainability for major MSR concepts. It represents a PSI contribution to EU project Endurance and the candidate should be responsible for selected action and/or task in the project 
• As a first step of this PhD you will repeat a literature survey to collect MSR concepts existing in literature, group them and compare them with catalogue of nuclear reactor designs, which is already available
• You should participate on literature survey of salt reprocessing techniques, their efficiency and fuel residence times
• You should define the criteria for fuel cycle performance evaluation from neutronics, proliferation and nuclides flow perspective
• You should apply these criteria on selected MSR concepts on an infinite lattice model assuming given preprocessing scheme and conclude about their performance
• For selected concepts the full core model should be created and analyzed inclusive reprocessing unit and off-gas system providing detailed nuclides flow
• You should evaluate the effect on fuel reprocessing scheme selection on the fuel cycle sustainability
• Once the data will be available, you will evaluate the effect of active versus passive off-gas system unit on fuel cycle and nuclides flow
• Waste immobilization and proliferation resistance of each fuel treatment should be considered

Your profile

• Master’s degree in reactor physics
• Interest in advanced reactors and nuclear fuel cycle
• Coding and simulating skills
• Fluency in English

We offer
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.

www.psi.ch