Postdoctoral Fellow in Zinc Water Chemistry and NobleChem Effects on LWR Cladding Degradation

About the role

The Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI), the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland, is recruiting a Postdoctoral Fellow for its Component Structural Safety Group. The fellowship focuses on the effects of Zinc Water Chemistry (ZWC) and NobleChem on the degradation of light water reactor (LWR) structural and fuel cladding materials. It is a 100% academic position in the canton of Solothurn.

Key responsibilities

• Design, conduct and evaluate experimental studies on the degradation behaviour of LWR structural and fuel cladding materials under ZWC and NobleChem conditions
• Research topics include stress corrosion cracking initiation and propagation, corrosion, oxidation and hydrogen uptake, quantitative assessment of environmental and material parameter effects, and the use of metallographic, fractographic, electrochemical and surface analytical techniques
• Characterise oxide film composition, structure and zinc incorporation using advanced microscopy and spectroscopy
• Supervise student research projects and internships
• Publish in peer-reviewed journals and present at international conferences
• Contribute to collaborative research and provide technical expertise across related projects

Required profile

• PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy or a closely related field
• Solid background in corrosion, electrochemistry and metallurgy
• Excellent communication skills in English and ability to work in an international, multidisciplinary team; German is an asset

Required skills

• Material characterisation by light and electron microscopy
• Ideal: experience with experiments under high-temperature water conditions

What we offer

• On-the-job training and a pronounced vocational training culture
• Modern employment conditions and on-site infrastructure supporting work-life balance
• Fixed-term contract of 2 years, with a possible 2-year extension

Applications, including referee addresses, must be submitted online by 4 January 2027.