Saturn_Nuclear_CDT
About the Project
This PhD offers the chance to help develop the next generation of UK nuclear fuels, working with Bangor University's Nuclear Futures Institute and Rolls-Royce. The research investigates gelation and encapsulation as a route to forming TRISO fuel kernels. Building on spray-drying techniques to produce precursor powders for slurries, or soluble precursors for gelation feedstock solutions, the project will explore forming chemistries that create monodisperse particles suitable for subsequent heat treatment.
By varying precursor chemistries and encapsulation parameters, the student will work to optimise the microstructure and mechanical integrity of the resulting kernels, developing a scalable, low-TRL pathway for advanced nuclear materials. The work spans investigative, manufacturing, and characterisation experiments to understand how changing precursor chemistries and forming media affect the production of TRISO-like fuels. This research supports improved fuel performance, lower cost and lead times, and greater UK freedom in reactor design.
Project Objectives & Methodology
The project aims to develop, experimentally validate and optimise integrated gelation and encapsulation techniques for the controlled formation, conditioning and characterisation of TRISO-like nuclear fuel kernels under representative low-TRL manufacturing constraints.
Key objectives include:
- Establishing functional, chemical and process constraints associated with kernel forming for advanced nuclear fuels
- Developing spray-drying routes to produce precursor powders for slurries, and soluble precursors for gelation feedstock solutions
- Examining how gelation and encapsulation chemistries govern droplet-to-particle conversion, sphericity, and internal structure
- Quantifying particle yield and quality over a range of precursor chemistries, encapsulation parameters and process conditions
- Measuring key particle parameters including size distribution, morphology, porosity and mechanical integrity
- Developing correlations linking precursor chemistry and forming conditions to kernel quality metrics
- Translating experimental findings into design guidance, process procedures and scale-up recommendations
The research will combine requirements capture, precursor and feedstock development, spray-drying and gelation/encapsulation experiments, designed experiments, particle characterisation and data modelling. Key outputs will include validated forming routes, kernel characterisation datasets, process-feedstock correlations, mitigation guidance for chemistry-related defects, and recommendations for scale-up toward integrated advanced fuel manufacture.
Candidate profile
We seek a highly motivated candidate with (or expect to obtain) a first-class or upper second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as chemistry or materials science and engineering. The student will be based within the Nuclear Futures Institute at Bangor University, providing a specialist research environment with established expertise in nuclear fuel design, manufacture, characterisation and performance. The student will also be supported by industrial supervisors from Rolls-Royce (part of the DoRN programme) who are field experts and key stakeholders in advanced nuclear fuels.
The studentship is a highly multidisciplinary undertaking, spanning chemistry, materials science and process engineering, and offers strong scope for professional development. Alongside the core research, the student will build transferable skills in industrial collaboration, experimental design, data analysis, risk assessment and technical communication. There will be regular opportunities to present findings to Rolls-Royce, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and share work at national and international conferences in nuclear materials and advanced fuels.
As part of the SATURN CDT cohort, the student will also join a wider community of researchers and industrial partners working across the UK's nuclear fuels and materials landscape.
About SATURN
This PhD is based with the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training. SATURN is made up form a consortium of NW Universities that include Manchester, Bangor, 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 activities. If this sounds like the sort of opportunity that you are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
Nuclear Boot Camp (Months 1 - 3)
The Bootcamp is based in Manchester. For any of our students based at partner institutions, SATURN can offer you accommodation in Manchester and cover the cost.
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.
Before you apply
We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Simon Middleburgh (s.middleburgh@bangor.ac.uk)
Projects are subject to funding confirmation
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.
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: here 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, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.
We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).
