Research Fellow (106799-1024)

Location: University of Warwick Campus, Coventry

Duration: 2 years

About the Role

For informal enquiries, please contact Andreas Kyprianou (Professor) at Andreas.Kyprianou@warwick.ac.uk. 

We are looking for an adventurous and talented researcher to fill a postdoctoral position as part of the £7.3M EPSRC Programme Grant, MaThRad (Mathematical Theory of Radiation Transport).

MaThRad is pursuing an interactive exploration of foundational, translational and application-driven research; developing predictive mathematical models with quantifiable accuracy and software prototypes, ready for real-world implementation in the energy, health care and space exploration nuclear industries.

This five-year interdisciplinary programme of research will use modern mathematical methods from probability theory, advanced Monte Carlo methods and inverse problems to develop novel approaches to the theory and application of radiation transport.

The programme grant is held jointly between the University of Warwick, University of Bath, University of Cambridge, University College Hospital, and the National Physical Laboratory.

This position will be based at the University of Warwick.

Nuclear technology is based around the principle of how radiation particles interact with materials. Whilst the microscopic behaviour of such systems is well understood, the degree of inhomogeneity involved means that the ability to predict the flux of particles through complex physical environments on the macroscopic (human) scale is a significant challenge. Unlike other types of transport theories, radiation transport theory is typically non-diffusive and requires a myriad of methodologies centred around the Boltzmann Transport Equation.

This lies at the heart of how we design, regulate and operate some of the most important technologies for the twenty-first century. These include:

• Building new reactors (fission and fusion) and de-commissioning old ones.
• Medical radiation therapy.
• Establishing novel space technologies through e.g. the development of space-bound mini-reactors for off-world bases and protection for high-tech equipment exposed to high-energy radiation such as satellites and spacesuits.
• Accurate prediction of how radiation interacts with surrounding matter is based on modelling through the Boltzmann transport equation.

You will from time to time be required to undertake other duties of a similar nature commensurate with the grade of appointment as reasonably required by your line manager.

About You  

The successful candidate will be line managed by Prof. Andreas Kyprianou and Dr. Emma Horton and will work on projects looking to improve our theoretical understanding of current Monte Carlo algorithms used in a range of applications relating to Radiation Transport, and to develop novel methods which can improve the methods used by our academic and industrial partners.

Experience of conducting high quality research on interacting particle Monte Carlo methods, or rare event simulation will be highly desirable. Willingness to explore the interaction with ad-hoc and interdisciplinary approaches is highly desirable. No prior knowledge of the application area is expected, however a willingness to engage with applications is essential, as well as to collaborate with scientists and engineers who are not mathematicians.

For further information regarding the skills required for this role please see the personal specification section of the attached job description.

CLOSING DATE: Monday 18 November 2024 at 11.55 pm

Full details of the duties and selection criteria for this role can be found in the vacancy advert on the University of Warwick's jobs pages. You will be routed to this when you click on the Apply button.

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