Doctoral student in experimental nuclear physics

The Department of Applied Nuclear Physics at Uppsala University conducts research and education in applied nuclear physics. Its activities aim to deepen our understanding of the properties of atomic nuclei and apply this knowledge in areas such as energy and materials research.
The successful candidate will join a research group with a strong international profile and active collaborations at leading research facilities, including GANIL (France), JRC-Geel (Belgium), CERN n_TOF (Switzerland), GSI (Germany) and JYFL (Finland). The group’s research focuses on increasing our understanding of nuclear reaction dynamics, with particular emphasis on neutron-induced reactions.
The doctoral project is part of a Nordic collaboration between Uppsala University and the University of Oslo (UiO) within the Norwegian Nuclear Research Centre (NNRC). The collaboration brings together expertise in nuclear fission, nuclear structure, gamma spectroscopy, detector development and nuclear physics modelling. A significant part of the experimental work will be carried out at the Oslo Cyclotron Laboratory (OCL).

Duties
The overall aim of the doctoral project is to investigate how excitation energy and angular momentum are distributed between fission fragments and subsequently carried away by gamma radiation. You will measure spectra, multiplicities and total energies of prompt gamma rays from fission as a function of excitation energy, and seek to determine fission product yields and isomeric yield ratios. The measurements will test our understanding of nuclear fission and provide data to improve calculations of gamma heating and other measurable fission quantities relevant to Generation IV reactors with fast neutron spectra.
You will prepare and carry out experiments at OCL in close collaboration with researchers and technical specialists at UiO. The experiments use the uranium-235(d,pf) reaction as a surrogate for neutron-induced fission of uranium-235. By detecting the outgoing proton together with fission fragments and gamma radiation, the measured quantities can be related to the excitation energy of the fissioning nucleus.
A central part of your work will focus on the OSCAR gamma-ray detector system, charged-particle detectors and a newly developed fission chamber. You will contribute to detector characterisation and calibration, as well as commissioning and optimising the experimental setup.
You will analyse experimental data using coincidence techniques, detector response corrections, background subtraction and uncertainty analysis. Characteristic gamma transitions will be used to identify selected fission products, while delayed radiation will provide complementary information about the angular momentum of the fragments through isomeric yield ratios.
The project also includes computational fission modelling in close collaboration with the Nuclear Data Section at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Using TALYS and fission models such as FREYA and GEF, you will investigate how well current calculations describe energy distribution, angular momentum and fragment de-excitation. Comparisons with the measurements will help identify the limitations of the models and guide their further development.
The position involves extended research visits to Oslo and may also include detector tests and experiments at other international facilities. You will present your research in peer-reviewed publications, at scientific conferences and at collaboration meetings.

Qualifications
To be eligible for third-cycle (doctoral) studies, applicants must have
completed a second-cycle qualification in physics, engineering physics, nuclear engineering, applied physics or another field relevant to the project, or
completed at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are at second-cycle level, including an independent project worth at least 15 credits,
or acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

The position also requires:
An interest in physics, experimental work, data analysis and physical modelling.
The ability to work independently and systematically, with attention to data quality.
Good collaboration skills.
A good ability to communicate in spoken and written English.
Willingness and ability to undertake research visits abroad, particularly in Oslo, and to participate in experimental campaigns and scientific conferences.

Desirable/Other qualifications
The following merits will be considered when ranking applicants:
Good knowledge of physics, including nuclear physics and radiation detection.
Experience in programming, for example in Python or C++, and an interest in developing your skills in scientific computing.
Experience in gamma spectroscopy, coincidence measurements or nuclear fission experiments.
Experience with radiation detectors, detector electronics or data acquisition systems.
Experience in experimental data analysis using ROOT or comparable tools.
Experience in Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport and detector response, for example using Geant4, as well as nuclear reaction or fission calculations using TALYS, FREYA, GEF or similar software.
Experience in statistical analysis, uncertainty propagation or unfolding of detector response.
Experience in scientific computing with large experimental or simulated data sets.

Regulations for doctoral students can be found in Chapter 5, Sections 1-7 of the Higher Education Ordinance and in the university’s rules and guidelines.

About the position
The position is fixed-term, under Chapter 5, Section 7 of the Higher Education Ordinance. The position is full-time. Starting date: 1 March 2027, or as agreed. Location: Uppsala
For further information about the position, contact: Ali Al-Adili, Ali.Al-Adili@physics.uu.se
Welcome to submit your application by 27 november 2026, UFV-PA 2026/3169.
Please note that this is an abbreviated version of the advert. To view the full advert, please click “Apply here” or visit Uppsala University’s jobs website.