Nuclear Energy and SMR Strategic Advisor

About the role

An advanced nuclear energy platform is seeking a part-time Strategic Advisor to guide its technical strategy, evaluate reactor technologies and identify intellectual property suitable for commercialisation. The focus is on small modular reactors (SMRs), microreactors, high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) and related developments, using South Africa as an important development and commercialisation market. The post holder works remotely, collaborating with executive management and engineering teams to shape commercialisation roadmaps.

Key responsibilities

• Advise management on technology selection, technical positioning and commercialisation strategy for SMR, microreactor and advanced-reactor platforms.
• Review proposed reactor technologies, engineering packages, design concepts and technical partner capabilities.
• Identify patents, software, designs, know-how and research programmes suitable for licensing, assignment, option-to-license or joint development.
• Introduce the project to universities, research laboratories, technology-transfer offices, engineering groups and nuclear-industry partners.
• Assist with discussions on sponsored research, technology licensing, joint development and intellectual property transfer.
• Provide specialist input on reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, safety, materials, fuels or software/modelling.
• Help build a practical technical roadmap covering research, engineering, demonstration, licensing and commercialisation.
• Take part selectively in meetings with strategic partners, investors, government stakeholders, technical counterparties and South African nuclear institutions.
• Deliver the initial 90-day plan, including technical review, technology prioritisation, IP identification, partner introductions and advisory board recommendations.

Required profile

• Doctorate (PhD), professorial standing, senior researcher background or senior nuclear engineer experience (typically 15+ years of relevant experience).
• Demonstrated track record in advanced-reactor R&D, commercial reactor programmes, national laboratories, universities or nuclear technology enterprises.
• Willingness to work part-time (5 to 10 hours per month) with flexibility to scale as projects advance.
• Desirable: experience with patent evaluation, technology transfer, sponsored research and research commercialisation; active relationships with universities, research labs, reactor developers and technology-transfer offices; international experience and familiarity with South African nuclear institutions.

Required skills

• Deep technical experience in advanced nuclear areas such as SMR/microreactor design, HTGR/PBMR, reactor physics, thermal hydraulics/CFD, TRISO/advanced fuels, molten-salt reactors, reactor safety/licensing, nuclear materials, fuel cycle, nuclear heat applications or nuclear engineering software/modelling.