Atomic Veterans will explore the impacts that nuclear testing has had on individuals who worked in testing operations. It will focus especially on the short- and long-term health impacts of their work. The appointed PhD student will combine oral history and archival research methods to explore these impacts. The primary focus of the study will be U.S. atomic veterans since they represent the largest cohort and because of how the U.S. administration rendered the toxic exposures of atomic veterans largely invisible. The PhD student will thus familiarize with the literature available on this subject to then explore the archival document discussing nuclear testing including those of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) available at the US National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). The student will also familiarize with other documents such as the veteran- and personal collections available through the National Association of Atomic Veterans (oral histories and reunion records) and those of the Atomic Heritage Foundation, which has photographs, letters, and personal accounts that illuminate the lived experiences of atomic veterans. To connect these archival and personal sources, the student will use a mixed comparative methodology in order especially to figure out if health risks have been downplayed.
The PhD student will go through a comprehensive training programme at the CHSTM with Simone Turchetti to sharpen the skills needed to complete the project including general training to consult and explore archive materials, to conduct oral history interviews and to enact comparative methodologies combining different sets of information. The PhD student will also spend no less than four months at the KTH (in two separate research stays) to work with Per Högselius and his colleagues. The stay aims to help the student familiarizing with comparative, interdisciplinary historical methods, including how to scientific, medical, and bureaucratic structures shaped military toxic exposure across countries. KTH offers hand-on experience with Cold War nuclear archives, technical reports, and policy documents, enabling to interpret complex dosimetry records and exposure assessments. KTH guidance will also support methodological skills such as coding and triangulating FOIA materials with oral histories, situating U.S. atomic veterans within broader international contexts.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should hold (or be about to obtain) a First or Upper Second class (2:1) UK honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject.
Application Guidance
Candidates must contact the primary supervisor before applying to discuss their interest in the project and assess their suitability.
Apply directly via this link: https://tinyurl.com/5n7xwb4y or on the online application portal, select PhD International Partnerships as the programme of study. You may apply for up to two projects within this scheme. To do so, submit a single online application listing both project titles and the names of both main supervisors in the relevant sections.
Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Supporting Statement
Academic Certificates and Transcripts
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Further details are available on our website: International Partnership PhD studentships | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester
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