Microstructure Engineering of Actinide Refractory Materials for ISOL@MYRRHA Day-1 Target Operation

This PhD position at KU Leuven, in collaboration with the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), offers an exciting opportunity to advance the microstructure engineering of actinide refractory materials for the ISOL@MYRRHA day-1 target operation. The successful candidate will join the expert group on Physics and Target Research at SCK CEN in Mol, Belgium, and work under the daily supervision of Dr. João Pedro Fernandes Pinto Ramos and Dr. Beatriz Acevedo Muñoz, with Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels as university promotor from KU Leuven's Department of Materials Engineering. The ISOL@MYRRHA facility is designed to produce a wide range of radioactive isotopes for applications in nuclear physics, condensed-matter physics, biology, and nuclear medicine. The Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) technique involves irradiating target materials with a proton beam, inducing nuclear reactions that generate radioisotopes. These isotopes must be efficiently released from the target, which is maintained at extremely high temperatures (~2000°C) in vacuum conditions. The release process depends on the diffusion of isotopes through the grains and interconnected pore network of the target material, followed by ionization and mass separation to deliver purified Radioactive Ion Beams (RIBs) to end-users. This project addresses one of the most critical and limiting steps in ISOL facilities: target release efficiency. The research will focus on selecting suitable target material compounds (such as oxides, carbides, or metals) and engineering their microstructure to create stable, interconnected pore networks. The microstructure must withstand proton beam irradiation and high operational temperatures, as degradation through sintering can reduce RIB yield over time. Actinide oxides, despite their high sintering rates, are proposed as initial target materials for ISOL@MYRRHA. The candidate will attempt to stabilize open porous structures with small grain sizes at the highest possible temperatures and test their release performance under proton beam irradiation at an external facility. The position is open to candidates with a Master of Sciences, Master of Sciences in Engineering, Master in Nuclear Engineering, Master in Materials Engineering, or an equivalent degree. Preferred backgrounds include chemistry, physics, and materials science. Applicants must pass the SCK-CEN Scientific Council selection campaign, which includes an oral defense of the research theme scheduled for May 21 or 22, 2026. The application deadline is March 31, 2026, with notifications for oral interviews by May 4, 2026, and final decisions by June 15, 2026. The successful candidate will start at SCK CEN on October 1, 2026. The offer includes a Ph.D. fellowship for up to four years, covering stipend and tuition for a Ph.D. in Engineering Science - Materials Engineering at KU Leuven. The university and research center promote an inclusive and respectful environment, embracing diversity and equal opportunity. For further information, candidates may contact Prof. dr. ir. Jozef Vleugels ([email protected]), Dr. João Pedro Fernandes Pinto Ramos ([email protected]), or Dr. Beatriz Acevedo Muñoz ([email protected]). To apply, consult the SCK CEN guidelines for PhD application and submit your application via the KU Leuven jobsite. Selected candidates will be invited for oral interviews and presentations as part of the selection process.