PhD in Mechanisms and kinetics of simulant spent nuclear fuel dissolution under geological disposal

We are seeking an enthusiastic, motivated individual who wishes to learn about radioactive waste management in the UK with a desire to help influence Government policy on nuclear waste disposal. We are offering an opportunity for a 4 year, fully-funded PhD on the EPSRC Next Generation Nuclear (NGN) Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Sheffield, within the world-leading Immobilisation Science Laboratory in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

For the first 3 months, you will join a cohort of NGN students from the partner Universities (Leeds, Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield) to undertake a taught programme, which aims to give you a broad knowledge of nuclear science and the fuel cycle through a series of MSc level modules. You will then commence a PhD project, focused on the investigation of the long-term behaviour of spent nuclear fuel under conditions of a geological disposal facility for nuclear waste. Since the corrosion of spent nuclear fuel under these conditions will control the release of radioactive elements to the biosphere, there is a need to develop an understanding of the rates of corrosion and the mechanisms involved. To do this, you will use using state-of-the-art microscopy and spectroscopy techniques to understand groundwater / UO2 interfacial reactions. The successful applicant will work in the Immobilisation Science Laboratory at the University of Sheffield, a world-leaching centre for nuclear waste research, alongside 45 other PhD students. You will have access to the brand new £2M suite of dedicated radiation-controlled laboratory facilities and will have the opportunity to perform experiments using state-of-the-art facilities at the University and worldwide (e.g. National Synchrotron Light Source II, New York, USA). During the course of the project there are funded opportunities for placements within the nuclear industry (e.g. NNL, Sellafield Ltd. etc.) and for a research placement abroad.

Funding Notes

To be eligible for a studentship, you must either be a U.K. citizen or a European Union national who has been resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to starting the course.

This project would suit a candidate with a 1st or 2:1 Bachelor or Masters degree in any of the following: materials science / engineering, chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, geology or related subjects.