EPSRC Next Generation Nuclear Doctoral Training Centre studentship

Academic Supervisors: Prof. N Hyatt, Dr. M Stennett and Dr. C Freeman

PhD Research Project available, commencing October 2015.

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, which aims to develop novel uranium oxynitride materials. These materials are of interest as products of the hydrolysis and reaction of nitride fuels as a result of cladding failure, hence there is a need to understand the relevant phase diagrams and physical properties – particularly thermal conductivity. The project will develop several different ammonlysis routes for uranium oxynitrides and investigate their physical properties using SQUID, PPMS, thermopower and laser flash thermal conductivity techniques. The successful applicant will work in the Immobilisation Science Laboratory at the University of Sheffield, a world-leaching centre for nuclear waste research, alongside 40 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.

This project would suit a candidate with a 1^st or 2:1 Bachelor or Masters degree in any of the following: materials science / engineering , chemistry, chemical engineering, physics 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 visit the Next Generation Nuclear Doctoral Training Centre webpage (www.nextgennuclear.manchester.ac.uk) or contact the lead supervisor, Prof. Neil Hyatt (n.c.hyatt<στο>sheffield.ac.uk).