This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered at the University of Manchester under the supervision of Dr. Olga Negri with the support of the UK National Nuclear Laboratory as part of the PANDA Nuclear Doctoral Focal Award (Programme for Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications). This project focuses on improving the understanding and safety assessment of High-Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) processing, with particular emphasis on the deconversion stage where uranium hexafluoride gas is transformed into solid uranium compounds for use in advanced nuclear fuels. Next-generation reactor technologies, including advanced modular reactors, often rely on the use of HALEU fuels. 

A central challenge in handling HALEU is ensuring criticality safety, which involves understanding and controlling neutron behaviour in uranium-containing systems to prevent unintended criticality. The project will use advanced computational methods, including Monte Carlo neutron transport codes, to model criticality behaviour in deconversion process conditions. It will investigate how temperature, material distribution, powder accumulation, phase changes, and chemical processing conditions impact neutron multiplication during deconversion operations. 

The successful candidate will develop detailed criticality models representing industrial equipment and operating environments. These models will be used to improve understanding of safety margins and inform the design and operation of future UK fuel cycle facilities. The work will directly support safer and more efficient nuclear technologies and contribute to improved approaches for assessing criticality safety in complex industrial systems. The project offers opportunities to collaborate closely with the United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory and engage with specialists working on advanced fuel cycle technologies. Visits to laboratory and industrial facilities are expected to form part of the research experience. 

Importantly, the skills developed during this project will be highly transferable to industry, including uranium deconversion, nuclear fuel manufacturing, and criticality safety more broadly. The computational modelling and Monte Carlo simulation skills gained are widely sought after across the nuclear sector and beyond, providing strong career pathways in both industry and research.  

We welcome applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including nuclear engineering, physics, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science, mathematics, and related disciplines. Experience in computational modelling is beneficial but not essential, as training will be provided throughout the project. This is an opportunity to contribute to nationally important research at the forefront of nuclear innovation while developing advanced technical skills in reactor physics, criticality safety, and computational modelling. 

Students will receive an enhanced, tax free, stipend of £26,000 per annum   

Eligibility 

A first-class or 2:1 honours degree in a relevant STEM subject (e.g. Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Mathematics) is preferred. Equivalent industrial experience will also be considered during the eligibility assessment.  

PANDA is committed to widening access; we welcome applications from mid-career switchers and those returning from career breaks. This PhD position is suitable for part time study. 

Students are required to achieve MoD Enhanced BPSS status, as a condition of ongoing enrolment and funding for this project.  

Due to conditions of funding, applicants must have Home Fees status and be eligible to work in the UK nuclear industry upon graduation. 

About PANDA 

This studentship is part of the PANDA (Programme for Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications) Nuclear Doctoral Focal Award. PANDA is a consortium of researchers led by Bangor University and delivered with the universities of Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Derby and Manchester, Imperial College London alongside UK National Nuclear Laboratory. PANDA will train up to 100 doctoral researchers to help meet the UK’s future nuclear, clean energy and defence needs. It is funded by UKRI, the Ministry of Defence and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. 

Alongside your research activities you will undertake a rich programme of events including a training programme that includes Nuclear Science and Engineering; Methods for Innovation and the PANDA Professionalism Programme. Due to our close links with industry, there will be opportunities for extended placements with industrial partners, allowing a deeper understanding of what it is like to be a nuclear professional during your studies. 

This studentship covers full tuition fees at the home student rate and an enhanced tax-free stipend of £26,000. The studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a research training support grant which is available to fund research activities including training events, conference attendance, and placements. Students are also supported by the UKRI family leave and pastoral provisions that apply to UKRI-funded studentships, including maternity, paternity, adoption and neonatal care leave. A PANDA hardship fund is also available.