The Research Institute into the Fundamental laws of the Universe (IRFU) and the Department of Reactor Physics and Applied Mathematics (SERMA) at CEA-Saclay jointly open a postdoctoral position to work in the NENuFAR project: “New Evaluation of Neutrino Fluxes At Reactors”.
 
Recent measurements performed by the last generation of reactor antineutrino detectors (Daya Bay, RENO, Double Chooz, NEOS) show significant deviations with respect to the state-of-the-art predictions of the reactor antineutrino spectra, both in the expected normalization, shape and evolution with the reactor fuel content. The goal of the NENuFAR project is to revise and possibly refine the predictions in order to address these discrepancies.

The successful candidate is expected to take a leading role in the computation of the activity of the fission products created in a reactor core throughout an entire cycle, using the Monte Carlo particle transport code TRIPOLI-4® developed at CEA-Saclay. These computations shall go beyond the standard assumptions used to compute the activity of the fission products, by considering details of reactor physics that were presently not yet studied (e.g. creation of beta emitters through neutron capture, influence of fission models, etc.). In a second step, the candidate is expected to participate in the revision of the predictions for antineutrino spectra using the results obtained in the first part of the study, along with a refined modeling of the thousands of beta branches which make up a reactor antineutrino spectrum.
 
The IRFU group is expert in reactor antineutrino physics, with major contributions to the Double Chooz, Nucifer and Stereo experiments, and also in reactor antineutrino flux modeling. The SERMA group has a world leading expertise in reactor physics, and is responsible for the design and development of the widely used Monte-Carlo code TRIPOLI-4®. The NENuFAR project is supported by the direction of transversal programs of CEA.

Eligible candidates should hold a PhD degree in particle or nuclear physics, with good knowledge of reactor physics and skills in Monte Carlo simulation as well as numerical computation. Application materials should be sent to Matthieu Vivier (matthieu.vivier@cea.fr) and Davide Mancusi (davide.mancusi@cea.fr). They should include at least:

- a detailed CV with a list of publications, talks to conferences and seminars
- a letter of motivation
- 2 letters of references

The initial term of the position is for one year, with a possible extension to two years. The deadline for application is December 1st, 2017.