Research Associate/Fellow - Nuclear Resilience Mathematical Modelling Framework for Improved Safety (fixed term) (ENG239018)

The Resilience Engineering Research Group is collaborating with academics at Loughborough University, University of Liverpool, and scientists based at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Mumbai, and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) Tamil Nadu, in India, on an EPSRC funded project “A Nuclear Resilience Modelling Framework for Improved Safety (NuRes)”.

A resilient system is expected to have the ability to survive and recover from perturbations which are predictable or unpredictable. These can come from a variety of threat types including; component failures, human error, terrorism, cyber-attacks, climate change and natural disasters.

Known threat types, and those of which we currently have no understanding, can impact on the safety performance of nuclear reactors. Due to the high consequences of accidents, it is an industry where constantly improving standards of safety are demanded. Due to the emerging threat types and the new technologies available it is no-longer adequate to rely on risk evaluations used in PSAs to ensure safety. The new generation of nuclear reactors calls for a step change in the philosophy used in ensuring their safe design and operation throughout their lifetime. Resilience engineering provides such a new philosophy, by anticipating and planning for the unexpected.

This project explores the capabilities offered by the resilience approach and a statement of the aim of the project is: 

To produce a mathematical modelling framework which uses the resilience philosophy to achieve reactor system designs, operating regimes and recovery strategies which result in a safe and rapid response for any type of threat occurring at any point of its lifetime.

The successful candidate will contribute to the project by working on 6 programme work packages in collaboration with our project partners:

•Deriving resilience definition and its constituent high level system performance metrics

•Production of a Nuclear Resilience Modelling Framework

•Investigate cyber threat resilience issues covering cyber, physical and cyber-physical combined

•Modelling the key performance metrics for the dimensions of resilience

•Case study on nuclear systems

•Comparison of resilience vs traditional risk approaches

Knowledge of Petri Net methods would be an advantage and the ability to develop software is essential.

Candidates should hold (or shortly due to be awarded) a PhD or equivalent in engineering, mathematics, computer science or statistics ideally focused in the field of system safety, risk or reliability modelling, maintenance modelling, asset management or a closely related subject.Evidence of the ability to publish research papers and to present work at conferences is required. Experience in IT and computer programming are essential for this post.

Excellent communication and team work skills are fundamental to the success of this project, as is the ability to think independently, take responsibility, and liaise effectively with the project collaborators in India. 

This is a full time, fixed term position available for 30 months. Job share arrangements may be considered. 

Informal enquiries may be addressed to John Andrews, tel: 0115 84 68448. Or email john.andrews@nottingham.ac.uk Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted.

Closing Date: 21 Aug 2018
Category: Research and Teaching (R&T)