PhD in plutonium stockpile immobilisation: Investigating the effectiveness of using Ce, U and Th as

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 3.5 year, fully-funded PhD, sponsored by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority at the University of Sheffield, within the world-leading Immobilisation Science Laboratory in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

You will undertake a PhD project, focused on developing scientific underpinning for application of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) to immobilisation and disposal of the UK’s plutonium stockpile and residues. You will use HIP to fabricate glass / ceramic materials to investigate the effectiveness of using Ce, U and Th as surrogates for plutonium.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 opportunities for placements within the nuclear industry (e.g. NNL, Sellafield Ltd. etc.) and for a research placement abroad.

Funding Notes

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. 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. For more information, please contact the lead supervisor (n.c.hyatt@sheffield.ac.uk).