Postdoctoral Research Associate in Molten Salt Processing

Job Number

BU03618

School/Department

School of Computer Science & Engineering

Grade

7

Contract Duration

12 months

Responsible to

Senior Lecturer

Overview

School of Computer Science and Engineering

A number of our courses are accredited by professional bodies like the British Computer Society and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, which means that learnt skills and attributes are recognised as being the first step to achieving a Chartered Engineer or Chartered Scientist professional qualification.

We are in a region of outstanding natural beauty between the mountains, lakes and forests of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) and the dramatic North Wales coastline. Ynys Môn (the Isle of Anglesey) is also on our doorstep which makes our location the perfect environment to study.

Our facilities include superbly-equipped computer and networking laboratories, a state-of-the art electronic laboratory (one of the few in the UK badged by the leading test and measurement instrument makes Keysight Technologies), extensive research laboratories and a Class 1000 electronics cleanroom.

Nuclear Futures Institute

The NFI is an exceptional team at Bangor University looking to advance nuclear technologies in North Wales. Nuclear energy has played a key role in the region for many decades and the end of the Magnox era has opened up new opportunities, with two exceptional nuclear licensed sites – Wylfa and Trawsfynydd on our doorstep – and a rapidly growing industrial and academic resource at Bangor University and our science park, M-SParc. Since its inception in late 2017 – the Nuclear Futures Institute has built fabulous facilities that are being used by leading industry stakeholders to aid nuclear technology development. We are ready and open for business.

The Materials for Nuclear and Extreme Environments research group was established in late 2017 with the generous support of the Sêr Cymru programme. As a core part of Bangor University’s Nuclear Futures Insititute, our primary focus concerns the development of nuclear materials. However, we are materials scientists at heart and maintain general research interests spanning ceramics, metals, glasses and everything in-between.

The Reactor Design and Thermal Hydraulics (RDTH) group was established in late 2019 with the strong support of the Sêr Cymru programme. The group performs research in many areas of Nuclear Engineering including Reactor Physics, Thermal hydraulics, Severe accident, and Gen-IV reactors. There are currently two large scale thermal hydraulic rigs in operation – Thor and Bullet.

The Nuclear Medicine group was established in early 2021 due to the support of the Sêr Cymru programme, and supports Welsh ambitions for a medical radionuclide production facility in the region. The production facility would provide radionuclides for use in both diagnostic and therapeutic treatments in nuclear medicine, leading to better patient outcomes across the nation and beyond.

The Regulation and Policy research group’s efforts will underpin the safety of nuclear installations both in the UK and overseas. The group also have interests in nuclear security, nuclear safeguards, governmental organisation for the regulation of nuclear industries; international nuclear safety standards harmonisation; nuclear licensing; nuclear emergency planning, the management of radioactive waste; the tolerability of risk, the societal impact of the use of nuclear energy and the safety and regulation of fusion power plants.

The Project

In the proposed project, the extended LiCl-NaCl-KCl-RbCl-CsCl-SrCl2-BaCl2-LnCl3 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, and Y) system has been selected as the primary model system to demonstrate accelerated exploration of structural, thermodynamic, and physical properties using our open-source platform including ML models, high throughput DFT-based first-principles calculations, MD and AIMD simulations, and high throughput CALPHAD modeling using UNIQUC and MQM models. The UK partners will also aim to further study LiCl-Li2O-(RbCl, CsCl, SrCl2, and BaCl2), representative of electroreducer pyro-processing salts, and (LiF-NaF-KF and LiF-BeF2), representative of the US and UK candidate molten salt reactor (MSR) fuel / coolant salts.

Purpose of the Job

As part of EP/X011607/1 - A molten salt community framework for predictive modelling of critical characteristics at Bangor University we are looking for a Post-doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) who can conduct high temperature experiments on molten salts (LKE) and support with CALPHAD modelling. As part of this program, we are interested in exploring filtration and solid oxide removal from molten salts.

The post holder will be responsible for lead research to identify solutions; implement process controls; and devise tests in working with high temperature molten salts and support research based physical measurements with CALPHAD modelling. The post holder will also liaise with external and internal partners within the NEUP program.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Lead research to identify solutions; implement process controls; and devise tests in working with high temperature molten salts.

Support research based physical measurements with CALPHAD modelling.

Manage and prioritise own workload within agreed objectives to ensure that all activities are completed to deadlines.

Coordinate and liaise with all members of the project partners in order to support the achievement of project objectives, ensuring agreed strategies and plans are put into place.

Carry out a plan of research, contributing as a team member to a broader program of fuel processing, nuclear chemical engineering, and separations.

Write up results of the research and contribute to the production of research reports and publications, in order to disseminate to a wide readership specifically to include industry.

Perform detailed analysis and manipulation of information and data, incorporating computer-based simulation, analysis and evaluation, and interpretation.

Present results and make recommendations via briefings, presentations and written reports, to facilitate the interpretation of specific issues or problems and to support decision making.

Coach and provide specialist guidance, support and training to research students.

Be responsible for requisitioning consumables, procurement of equipment and services etc. for the projects, ensuring that spending is within the required budget and conforms to financial rules.

Assist with professional and knowledge exchange activities as required.

Input as a team member to Department, College and/or University administrative activities.

Engage in continuous professional development.

Travel internationally as required for relevant meetings and conferences.

Other duties, commensurate with the grade and role profile of the post.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.

The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.

The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.

The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

A PhD in a Science or Engineering discipline (or close to completion) or have equivalent experience.

Desirable

Evidence of continuing professional development.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

Experience in the planning, design and execution of experimental studies in molten salts.

Experience of rig building with respect to molten salt experimental activities.

Experience of solid state characterisation techniques such as such as IGA, BET, FTIR, SEM and Pycnometry.

Desirable

A track record of generating high-quality, internationally excellent, research outputs including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference presentations, etc.

Experience of teaching and delivery of engineering design projects.

Ability of research impact through activities that demonstrate an effect beyond academia, for example via public engagement activities, patent applications, consultancy, etc.

Experience of research income generation from a variety of sources, in line with disciplinary norms.

Skills/Abilities

Essential

Demonstrate good analytical skills, ability to analyse numerical data and present results appropriately.

Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines.

Ability of working both collaboratively and independently with a high degree of personal effectiveness.

An effective communicator, confident in translating ideas and adapting messages to best effect.

Demonstrate an understanding of the bilingual nature of the institution and area, and the ensuing responsibilities.

Desirable

Excellent leadership providing effective management and supervision, and motivating high performance in PhD, PGT, and UG reseachers.

Evidence of fostering effective relationships at all levels, both internally and externally (academia, professional bodies, and industry).

Ability to develop creative approaches to problem solving.

General

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. 

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact. 

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.