Assistant or Associate Professor Nuclear Reactor Physics

Contribute to the safe and reliable future of nuclear energy within the inspiring and supportive work environment of the TU Delft Reactor Institute

Job description
Are you passionate about advancing the safety, sustainability, and reliability of nuclear energy? We are seeking a dedicated researcher ready to push boundaries in nuclear reactor physics.

In this role, you will develop advanced theoretical knowledge of nuclear reactor physics and translate this into modern numerical methods and cutting-edge codes. By integrating innovative multi-physics techniques with advanced calculation methods, you will extract meaningful insights from nuclear power plants, driving improvements in their safety and reliability. Example methodologies include machine learning, uncertainty analysis, reduced-order modelling, and statistical approaches.

Beyond research, you will play a key role in advancing nuclear reactor physics in the Netherlands and contributing to international collaborations. TU Delft offers access to a unique range of radiation sources and works closely with industry and government partners, providing a vibrant ecosystem for impactful research.

This position also provides you with the opportunity to grow as a leader in your field. You will take the lead in educating future reactor physicists at the highest level in the Netherlands, empowering the next generation of experts.

Job requirements
You are passionate about conducting innovative research that addresses pressing challenges in society and industry. With your strong communication and collaboration skills, you excel at building meaningful networks and inspiring stakeholders with the value of your research. You are also committed to embracing modern teaching methods and enjoy guiding and interacting with highly talented students.

You bring the following qualifications:

• A PhD or demonstrated expertise in Nuclear Reactor Physics.
• A strong portfolio of publications that highlights your research contributions and impact.
• Proficiency in English, as TU Delft fosters an international and inclusive community.

At TU Delft, we are dedicated to providing inspiring and excellent education. To support your teaching journey, we expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years, with full training provided by TU Delft.

We also value continuous development. TU Delft offers training to enhance English competency and provides Dutch language courses for those who wish to integrate further into our community.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

The department of Radiation Science & Technology (RST) has unique expertise in using ionizing radiation such as positrons and neutrons for research and education. We have direct access to our 2.3 MW nuclear research reactor equipped with advanced beam-line instruments, irradiation facilities and radiological laboratories, and to the Holland Particle Therapy Center including the proton beam research bunker. Our research focuses on materials science , health technology, and innovative and sustainable nuclear energy. The latter group comprises 4 PI’s covering nuclear materials chemistry, transport phenomena (heat, fluid, particles) and (computational) reactor physics. The department RST provides education to students in the fields of physics, chemistry and biomedical sciences. It counts about 20 PI’s, 20 support staff and 70 PhD students and postdocs.

Conditions of employment
This position is offered as an Academic Career Track position (1.0 FTE). During the Academic Career Track, we expect you to grow towards an Associate Professor position within a maximum of eight years, for which a position will be available. With other Academic Career Track colleagues, you will participate in the Academic Career Track Development programme, where you are offered ample opportunities to develop yourself in the areas of Education, Research, Societal Impact & Innovation, and Leadership & Organisation. You will regularly discuss your development and results with senior staff based on a personalized development plan and performance criteria agreed upon at the start of your Academic Career Track. You will start with a temporary contract that will be converted to a permanent contract no later than 12 -18 months after a positive evaluation, based on continuous confidence in your development potential and fit in the organisation.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme as part of the Academic Career Track Development programme.

TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged and you can work partly from home.

Assistant Professor: Salary scale 11-12, €4.537 to € 7.056 per month gross.

Associate Professor: Salary scale 13-14, € 6.286 to € 8.405 per month gross.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, provides information and personal one-on-one guidance to help you prepare your relocation, and to find housing and schools for children (if applicable). In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Jan-Leen Kloosterman, via J.L.Kloosterman@tudelft.nl.

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 4 April 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV including a detailed list of your publications and achievements
• Motivational letter (max 2 pages)
• Statement on research.*
• Statement on education.**
• Names and contact information of at least three relevant references. We will only contact references after your consent.

You can address your application to Prof. Jan-Leen Kloosterman.

• A research vision includes a brief overview of your existing research and an extensive view of your plans for future research you want to do in our department as part of your appointment. It should also emphasize how this research fits with the vacancy and describe, if possible, the synergy with other research lines in our department. A research vision can be as short as one page but no longer than four pages.
• *An education vision includes an overview of topics or course programs you feel comfortable with to teach, as well as a personal view of what you find important in your teaching method, both for classroom teaching as well as for the supervisory tasks with one or a small group of students. The length of the education vision typically is up to one page.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Applying for an exemption for specific research and educational areas is an obligatory part of the selection procedure for this vacancy. This exemption must be obtained from the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) before an employment contract is agreed upon. Click here for more information.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

38 - 40 hours per week

Mekelweg 5