Stage - Atomistic Investigation of Liquid Metals in The Context of Nuclear Accident Scenarios (H/F)

Position description

** Category**:

- Physics of the nucleus, atom, molecule

** Contract**:

- Internship

** Job title**:

- STAGE - Atomistic investigation of liquid metals in the context of nuclear accident scenarios H/F

** Subject**:

- Atomistic investigation of liquid metals in the context of nuclear accident scenarios

** Contract duration (months)**:

- 6

** Job description**:

- In the context of nuclear accident scenarios, liquid mixtures may form, containing uranium, zirconium, and elements from structural materials and the reactor vessel (such as steel). Understanding the relationship between the properties of these mixtures—particularly their viscosity—and their structural characteristics is therefore crucial.-
- Atomistic investigations have already been conducted on liquid uranium-zirconium mixtures, successfully establishing predictive models for these relationships. The approach used relies on developing machine-learning interatomic potentials based on _ab initio_ calculations, which are then employed to perform large-scale classical molecular dynamics simulations. However, the lack of experimental data for these specific compositions makes it challenging to validate the proposed methodology.-
- During this internship, you will focus on simulating compositions that remain relevant to nuclear accident scenarios—such as zirconium-nickel or zirconium-iron—but have been more thoroughly studied experimentally. The goal is to directly compare model predictions (e.g., thermal expansion, liquid structure, and atomic diffusion) with available experimental measurements.
** Methods / Means**:

- Density Functional Theory (VASP), Classical molecular dynamics (LAMMPS), ML interatomic potentials

** Applicant Profile**:

- We are seeking for a Master’s degree student (M2/Bac+5/Engineering school) specializing in materials science. Basic knowledge in solid state physics, statistical mechanics, or nuclear engineering would be appreciated, but is not required. The intern will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with PhD students in our laboratory, as well as external researchers, fostering a dynamic and enriching research environment.Position location

** Site**:

- Cadarache

** Job location**:

- France, Provence-Côte d'Azur, Bouches du Rhône (13)

** Location**:

- Saint-Paul Lez Durance

** Languages**:

- English (Fluent)

** Prepared diploma**:

- Bac+5 - Diplôme École d'ingénieurs

**Recommended training**:

- Materials science, computational physics

** PhD opportunity**:

- Oui

Requester

** Position start date**:

- 02/02/2026

General information- **Organisation**:
The French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) is a key player in research, development and innovation in four main areas:

- defence and security,
- nuclear energy (fission and fusion),
- technological research for industry,
- fundamental research in the physical sciences and life sciences.Drawing on its widely acknowledged expertise, and thanks to its 16000 technicians, engineers, researchers and staff, the CEA actively participates in collaborative projects with a large number of academic and industrial partners.

The CEA is established in ten centers spread throughout France- **Reference**:2025-37997

**Description de l'unité**:

- You will be hosted at the Fuel Behavior Modeling Laboratory (IRESNE Institute, CEA Cadarache), a dynamic research group where you will collaborate with other PhD students in the lab. The working environment is further enriched by national and international collaborations, offering you the opportunity to integrate into the research community focused on nuclear materials science.