About Us
Our vision is to train a new generation of more than 85 doctoral researchers who can move seamlessly between academia and industry. By combining technical expertise with professional polish, PANDA graduates will be able to enter the nuclear industry and deliver immediate impact across the UK’s nuclear civil and defence industries.
PANDA is accepting applications for PhD positions now
The Concept: Accelerated Qualification
The United Kingdom has ambitious targets and timelines across its nuclear programmes, all of which could benefit from new technologies and approaches. A major challenge in nuclear innovation is the time required to move from research to operation because conventional qualification and licensing can take decades. As a Doctoral Focal Award, PANDA is designed to shorten this path through Accelerated Qualification.
- Trusted Universities
- Industrial placements
- Secure PhDs
- Fast Response
Core Research & Application Areas
Research within PANDA has a broad base but focuses on four primary pillars:
Reactor Design and Analysis
Covering small modular (SMR), advanced modular (AMR), high-temperature, and marine propulsion reactors.
Nuclear Materials
Researching cladding, structural alloys, fuel manufacture and fuel performance.
Fuel-Cycle Technologies
Addressing the front-end fuel cycle and the integration of nuclear systems into wider energy networks.
Including deconversion, enrichment, HALEU production, and fuel behaviour under reactor conditions.
if you would like to know more information on current projects available through PANDA please follow:
“Beyond technical research, PANDA puts an emphasis on preparing PhD graduates for industry. Alongside advanced nuclear science and engineering, PANDA students will receive training in project management, budgeting, regulatory awareness, communication and broader leadership skills. This holistic approach ensures graduates are fully prepared for employment in a rapidly expanding sector that requires both technical excellence and professional capability.”
Dr Tessa Davey
Co - Director of PANDA
Ready to lead the UK's nuclear future?
We will train researchers in uncertainty quantification and propagation that will allow them to provide the robust data required for the substantiation of licensing decisions.
Are you ready for a PhD with us? To find out more visit our Applications page.
