S. Ratynskaia
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Doctoral student in fusion plasma physics and nuclear engineering KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Mechanical Engineering
Funding
Monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement; employee benefits for doctoral students.
Deadline
Dec 24, 2026
Country
Sweden
University
KTH Royal Institute of Technology
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About this position
This doctoral project at KTH Royal Institute of Technology addresses a key challenge in fusion energy: how to understand and predict damage to plasma-facing components under extreme conditions. The work focuses on plasma-facing components (PFCs) exposed to runaway electrons, a disruption-related phenomenon that can threaten reactor components and reduce lifetime.
The PhD student will develop modelling tools for simulating runaway-electron-induced damage and validate them against experimental evidence from the EUROfusion Consortium and DIII-D in the USA. The validated models will then be used for predictive studies of specific ITER scenarios, in collaboration with input from the ITER Organization.
Research activities combine several computational approaches. The project includes Monte Carlo simulations of MeV runaway-electron energy deposition in materials, followed by thermomechanical modelling to study deformation and possible material explosion using FEM and CFD software. The topic sits at the intersection of plasma-surface interactions, electron transport into matter, and engineering analysis of fusion-relevant materials.
The project is embedded in an environment with access to experimental data from major tokamaks worldwide and close collaboration with the Experiments & Plasma Operation Section of the ITER Organization. Supervision is listed with Prof. S. Ratynskaia.
Funding details
Monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement; employee benefits for doctoral students.
What's required
Applicants must have basic eligibility for postgraduate education: a second-cycle degree such as a master's degree, or at least 240 higher education credits including at least 60 second-cycle credits, or equivalent knowledge. Programming skills in Fortran, Python, or C/C++ are required. English proficiency equivalent to English B/6 is mandatory. Candidates should also be goal oriented, persevering, able to work independently and collaboratively, have a professional approach, analyse complex issues, and be familiar with Monte Carlo electron transport simulation tools such as GEANT4, PENELOPE, or FLUKA, as well as basic computational fluid dynamics and computational solid mechanics techniques.
How to apply
Apply through KTH’s recruitment system and admission portal. Ensure the application is complete and submitted by the deadline at midnight CET/CEST. Include diplomas, grades, language certificates, CV, motivation letter, and representative publications or technical reports.
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Professors
Prof. at KTH Royal Institute of Technology
Sweden
Research Interests
Physics
Finite Element Analysi
Plasma Physics
Materials Science
Monte Carlo Simulation
Make your next move.
Prepare your application
Review drafts and confirm requirements with the university.