PhD Position - Digital twins in safeguarding nuclear waste management

Your Job:

Digital twins are already used in many industrial and planning applications. In nuclear engineering for example, they are used and further developed to improve the safety, operation and design of nuclear facilities. Digital twins also have a high potential for international nuclear material safeguards,e.g. for inspection planning, for optimizing the use of safeguards technologies, and for training purposes. The aim of this work is to explore the possibilities and limits of digital twins in safeguarding nuclear facilities, using the example of an interim storage facility and a geological repository for highly radioactive waste. Your tasks in detail:

• Development of a digital twin of an interim storage facility for high-level radioactive waste
  
• Development of a digital twin of a repository for high-level radioactive waste
  
• Application studies for different safeguards scenarios
  
• Derivation of recommendations for the use of digital twins in international nuclear material safeguards
  
• Drafting of project reports
  
• Presentation of results at conferences and in scientific publications

Your Profile:

• Successfully completed scientific university studies (Master) in physics, nuclear engineering, computer science or in another relevant natural or engineering science.
  
• Experience in computer-aided modelling and processing of spatial and non-spatial data.
  
• Knowledge of data analytics and artificial intelligence
  
• Independent and responsible approach to work
  
• Strong ability to work in a team as well as interest in and ability for interdisciplinary collaboration
  
• Very good communication skills in English, spoken and written

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the opportunity to actively help in shaping change. Here is what Forschungszentrum Jülich can offer you:

• A highly motivated working group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments
  
• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• Opportunity to participate in (international) conferences and project meetings
  
• Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisor
  
• The opportunity to work flexibly (in terms of location), e.g. in a home office in coordination with the supervisor and in line with required presence times
  
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

In addition to exciting tasks and the collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/julich-as-an-employer/benefits

The position is initially limited to 3 years with the possibility of a longer-term perspective. Pay is in line with 60% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich including our other locations is available at: https://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.