About the position
Uppsala's Division of Applied Nuclear Physics produces high-precision nuclear data with partners at GANIL in France, JRC-Geel in Belgium, CERN's n_TOF facility in Switzerland, GSI in Germany and JYFL in Finland. The data feed the models and libraries behind current and future nuclear energy, cancer treatment and radiation-tolerant microelectronics.
This PhD studies how light particles are thrown out when neutrons strike nuclei, across a wide range of neutron energies, and how the reaction shifts from one mechanism to another as energy rises. The results matter for materials in fusion devices and fast reactors, where these particles can create gas bubbles that weaken metal over time.
Much of the experimental work happens at GANIL's Neutrons for Science facility in Caen, using the Medley detector setup that the Uppsala group built and installed there.
What you will do
- Simulate, prepare, optimise and further develop the Medley setup and its systems.
- Prepare and run measurement campaigns at GANIL with researchers and technical staff there.
- Analyse the data and compare results with nuclear-reaction codes such as TALYS.
- Publish papers and present at national and international conferences.
Who can apply
- A master's degree in physics, engineering physics, nuclear engineering, applied physics or a related area, or at least 240 credits of university study including 60 at master's level with an independent project of at least 15 credits, or equivalent knowledge.
- Good knowledge of physics, including nuclear physics and radiation detection, and some programming experience, for example Python or C++.
- Good spoken and written English, the ability to work independently and in a structured way, and good teamwork.
- Willingness to make research visits abroad, including extended stays at GANIL.
- Advantages: ROOT, Monte Carlo codes such as Geant4, FLUKA or OpenMC, TALYS, detectors and data acquisition, theoretical nuclear physics, or high-performance computing.
What is offered
- Full-time, fixed-term employment as a doctoral student on a fixed monthly salary.
- Start on 1 February 2027, or as agreed.
- Extended research stays at GANIL in France and visits to other international facilities.
- The post may involve a security check before you are hired.
How to apply
- Apply through Uppsala University's recruitment system, linked below, quoting reference UFV-PA 2026/2799.
- There is no cover letter: instead you answer questions in the application form, and your answers are used in the selection.
- Send a CV with your degree certificates and transcripts.