Researcher organic radioactive waste

As a scientific collaborator, you will contribute to the scientific programmes related to investigating the degradation and long-term behaviour of low- and intermediate-level nuclear organic waste forms (mainly bituminized waste and cemented waste containing cellulose or other organic materials) during storage and in the final surface and/or underground disposal environment (cement, clay).

As a scientific collaborator, you will have the following duties and responsibilities within our group:

• Development and realisation of lab test set-ups for studying the release of gases, salts and/or radioactive elements from organic waste forms under storage or disposal conditions. Follow-up and interpretation of tests, including monitoring of underlying or secondary processes (degradation of waste form, water uptake, swelling, swelling pressure, leaching and reactivity of salts and organic matter, influence of microbial activity).
• Follow-up and interpretation of in situ experiments for monitoring the effect of salts, radionuclides, gases and/or organic matter on the characteristics of clays. These tests are conducted in underground laboratories, in collaboration with national and international partners.
• Ensure the transfer of research results during progress meetings with the client and in contractual reports for the client.
• Writing scientific articles in professional literature and giving presentations at conferences.
• Follow up on new developments in investigating the behaviour of these waste forms, including new developments in modelling the behaviour of bituminized radioactive salts in disposal conditions.
• Willing to participate in similar research programmes for other forms of waste (e.g. vitrified waste, plasma slag, spent fuel and cemented waste).

To join this frontier, you'll need