Nuclear Decommissioning is a National Priority for the UK. Pursuing a PhD in Nuclear Decommissioning offers prospective researchers the opportunity to work on one of the country's most significant engineering, environmental, and societal challenges. The UK's future energy strategy includes both renewable energy and new nuclear power. With strong industry partnerships, excellent career prospects, and opportunities to address globally significant challenges, a PhD in Nuclear Decommissioning offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact while developing world-class research and technical expertise.
The Dynamics Research Group in the Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering has a long-standing research collaboration with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL).
Autonomous wireless sensing, as a key technology in the era of industrial digitalisation, provides a paradigm shift in the efficient monitoring of nuclear decommissioning sites, enabling real-time data collection with minimal human interventions. A key challenge is the need for frequent battery replacement due to lack of access to the main power supply. This project aims to develop a novel solution for condition monitoring of air ducts in nuclear decommissioning sites, by designing, optimising, and testing an autonomous wireless multi-parameter sensing node.
The successful applicant will work at the intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation. Key skills are related to integrating airflow energy harvesting, multiparameter sensing and wireless communication. The airflow energy harvester-sensor will autonomously power the sensor node (including corrosion, temperature sensors and wireless communication modules). The proposed solution is an innovative way to monitor the condition of air ducts in nuclear decommissioning environment, which will create significant impact on the use of digital technologies in nuclear decommissioning.
The project is co-funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority Bursary scheme and Loughborough University.
Entry requirements:
A minimum of an upper-class honours degree (2:1) or overseas equivalent in Engineering or Physics, or equivalent relevant industrial experience.
English language requirements:
Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Further details are available on the International website.
Funding information:
This PhD is partially supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (subject to contract), offering 3.5 years of funding. The studentship provides a tax-free stipend of £21,805 per annum for the duration of the studentship plus tuition fees at the UK rate.
Bench fees required:
No
How to apply:
All applications should be made online. Under Campus, please select *Loughborough* and select Programme *Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering*. Please quote the advertised reference number FP-ST-2026R in your application.
Applications must include a personal statement, up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV), details of two referees (one from your highest degree qualification), certified certificates and transcripts for all completed degree programmes, and a reference to the project ‘FP-ST-2026R.
To avoid delays in processing your application, please ensure that you submit the minimum supporting documents above. Submission of a Research Proposal is not essential but may strengthen your application.
