Independent estimates of fissile material stocks amount to 500 tons of plutonium and 1400 tons of highly-enriched uranium, much of which is available to build nuclear warheads. Whether it be North Korea, the United States or any other nuclear weapon state, even the countries' own assessments of their produced fissile materials bear significant uncertainties. This is one of the current challenges for verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament. With this goal in mind, we explore several research avenues. Firstly, in the field of Nuclear Archaeology, we are developing new methods to reduce the aforementioned uncertainties and thus make the verification of fissile material stocks a reality. Furthermore, we are investigating the feasibility of employing state-of-the-art neutrino detectors for verifying and safeguarding nuclear waste repositories. As part of these efforts, we offer the following research projects for interested students:

Bachelor of Science Thesis Topics:

• Sensitivity Analysis of Reactor Parameters on Reactor Isotopics

  This topic comprises several potential projects. The main goals are:

  • Simulating reactor operations using computer codes.
  • Determining the influence of various operational parameters on simulated isotopic outputs using several analysis tools.

• Feasibility Study of Liquid Argon Antineutrino Detectors for Nuclear Waste Verification

  The main goals are:

  • Implementing antineutrino energy spectra and evaluate interaction rates in Argon.
  • Determining detector design requirements from first principles.
  • Exploring the option of GEANT4 implementations of various detector.

Master of Science Thesis Topics:

• Reactor Parameters Reconstruction using Measurements of Isotopic Ratios on Structural Materials

  This topic comprises several potential projects. The main goals are:

  • Simulating of reactor operations using computer codes.
  • Studying the irradiation behaviour of isotopes and selecting the best suited isotopes for parameter reconstruction.
  • Developing an appropriate analysis methodology.

• Feasibility Studies in Full Simulation of Liquid Argon Antineutrino Detectors for Nuclear Verification

  This topic comprises several potential projects. The main goals are:

  • Implementing/adjusting GEANT4 implementation(s) of liquid argon detectors.
  • Exploring the detector behaviour in the role of nuclear waste verification technology.
  • Determining the feasibility of deploying liquid argon antineutrino detectors on site and assessing the information that can be inferred from measuring the nuclear waste.

What we offer:

• Highly engaging inter-disciplinary work at the interface between particle/reactor physics and political sciences.
• A comfortable yet highly motivating working atmosphere in a team of young scientists with frequent and direct communication between team members and the Professor.
• Experience and education on "state-of-the-art" analysis tools, methods and detection techniques.
• The possibility to hone your diplomacy skills and knowledge concerning the current political climate and the challenges involved in nuclear verification and disarmament, on both the political and technological level.
• Professional development support and networking opportunities (conference participation, seminars, publications, etc.).
• The opportunity to bring your own personal contribution towards the goal of verifiable and irreversible nuclear disarmament.