About this role
About the position The Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA) at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU) is offerering a 3-year PhD position in Environmental Radiochemistry. Knowledge of radionuclide behavior in the environment is fundamental for ensuring the safe management of radioactive waste and minimizing potential impacts on humans and the environment. This PhD project aims to improve our understanding of radionuclide transport in engineered and natural environments relevant for nuclear waste management and decommissioning. The project will focus on the processes controlling transport and retention of redox-sensitive, potentially mobile radionuclides. The successful candidate will combine laboratory investigations, radioanalytical techniques and numerical modelling to improve our understanding of radionuclide behaviour under relevant environmental conditions. The PhD position is funded through the Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre (NNRC). Link: https://www.nnrc.uio.no/english/index.html The PhD candidate will be part of a dynamic and productive academic team with a strong international network covering radiochemistry, radioecology, environmental chemistry, nuclear waste management and environmental modelling. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to collaborate closely with NNRC partners and relevant international research groups. The applicant is made aware that an application for a PhD position at NMBU is at the same time an application for admission to a PhD programme at the institution. The documentation necessary to ensure that the admission requirements are met must be uploaded as an attachment. Main tasks The main tasks of the PhD position are to: • Contribute towards improving the understanding of radionuclide transport processes in engineered and natural environments relevant for nuclear waste management with regard to both spatial and temporal evolution. • Investigate mechanisms controlling radionuclide retention and transport in cementitious and geological materials. • Assess the influence of geochemical conditions on radionuclide speciation, solubility and transport. • Contribute to the development and application of numerical models for radionuclide transport and long-term safety assessments. The work will include: • Conducting laboratory experiments to characterize radionuclide interactions with engineered barrier materials and environmental matrices. • Performing radioanalytical measurements and chemical characterization of samples. • Applying and developing numerical transport and geochemical speciation models. • Evaluating radionuclide transport processes under conditions relevant for radioactive waste disposal. • Organization and analysis of data, writing scientific papers and dissemination of results through conferences and peer-reviewed publications. The successful candidate is expected to submit a plan for the progress of the work towards a PhD degree within the first months of the appointment, with a view to completing a doctorate within the PhD scholarship period. Competence To be eligible for the position, the candidate must meet the requirements for admission to one of the PhD programmes at NMBU, including the supplementary rules at the Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management (MINA). Admission to a PhD programme requires that the applicant has a relevant academic background; a master's degree or an equivalent qualification, in accordance with the descriptions in the national qualifications framework. The applicant must have a documented strong academic background relevant to the position and be able to demonstrate proficiency in English, both written and spoken. For more detailed information about the admission criteria, PhD Regulations and the relevant PhD programme description. The applicant must document expertise and interest in the research subject. Required academic qualifications A relevant master's degree in: • Radiochemistry, nuclear chemistry, geochemistry, physics or an other relevant field The following will be emphasized: • Knowledge in environmental radioactivity, geochemistry, radiochemistry or material science • Practical laboratory experience, including handling radioactive sources and radioanalytical techniques. • Experience with numerical modelling (e.g. PHREEQC or COMSOL) and/or with scientific programming (e.g. R, Python, MATLAB or similar) is an advantage. • Experience in working with cementitious materials is an advantage. • Competence in statistics and data analysis. These above-mentioned qualities are considered advantages but are not prerequisites for the position. Personal qualifications You need to have: • Strong motivation for PhD education and the research project. • Good social and collaboration skills. • Ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams. • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and preferably a Scandinavian language • Dissemination skills and willingness to communicate research findings to both scientific and non-scientific audiences. Remuneration and further information The position is placed in position code 1017 PhD Fellow, (NOK 550 800-660 000). PhD candidates are normally placed at salary level NOK 550.800. This is a temporary position with a duration of 3 years. Seniority promotion in the position. Admission to a PhD program is a prerequisite for appointment to the PhD scholarship position. Employment is conducted according to national guidelines for University and Technical College PhD scholars. All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation , and the national security regulation . For further information, please contact Associate Professor Juuso Sammaljärvi E-mail: [email protected]