Saturn_Nuclear_CDT
The aim of this industry co funded PhD is to explore the fundamental mechanisms of radionuclide interactions with concrete materials before and after the material has weathered. This information will then be applied to optimising chemical decontamination approaches to provide a toolkit for decontamination of radioactively contaminated concrete. This is directly relevant to the decommissioning and clean-up of the UK nuclear legacy, notably spent nuclear fuel storage ponds which may be concrete lined, and will have radionuclide contamination associated with the building infrastructure. Initially, the project will develop experimental approaches for the contamination of concrete with key radionuclides (e.g. Sr, Cs, U), in order to determine the binding mechanism(s) and distribution of the radionuclides within the concrete matrix using representative concrete from key nuclear sites. Then this well characterised radionuclide contaminated material will provide test material on which to evaluate the effectiveness of decontamination agents (e.g. acid, carbonation) and characterise their distribution and speciation, post-treatment. The PhD researcher will work as part of the Sellafield Effluent and Decontamination Centre of Expertise and through that, will have close collaboration with Sellafield Ltd. The project will be across the University of Manchester Concrete Materials, Resource Efficiency and Advanced Technology for Sustainability (CREATES) and The Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation (RADER) National Nuclear User Facility and is supported by concrete chemistry and environmental radioactivity expertise.
SATURN CDT
This PhD is based with the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training. SATURN is made up form a consortium of NW Universities that include Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Lancaster, Sheffield and Strathclyde. The ethos of the programme is to recruit students from across STEM and give them the necessary skills and training to become a subject matter expert in the nuclear sector in either industry or academia. You will be recruited with a cohort of other researchers all looking at nuclear focused research but from across the breadth of the sector. Your training will include an introduction to nuclear course as well as opportunities to do a deep dive in the areas that really interest you. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your experience and skills by visiting internationally relevant facilities, having an industry secondment, undertaking leadership training and involving yourself in outreach and public engagement activates. If this sounds like the sort of opportunity that you are looking for we would love to hear from you.
The Bootcamp is based at Manchester for any of our students based at a partner institution SATURN can offer you accommodation in Manchester
Before you apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply.
Eligibility
Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline
How to apply
Please complete the enquiry form to express your interest.
We strongly recommend you contact the project supervisor after completing the form to speak to them about your suitability for the project. You can find their details on the project listing.
If your qualifications meet our standard entry requirements, the CDT Admissions Team will send your enquiry form and CV to the named project supervisor.
Our application process can also be found on our website: Apply | EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear | The University of Manchester. If you have any questions, please contact SATURN@manchester.ac.uk
Equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.
We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age,