This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered within the University of Bristol, under the supervision of Dr Ross Springell and Dr Lottie Harding, supported by Rolls Royce. 

There is currently a great deal of interest globally, and particularly in the UK, around the next generation of advanced modular nuclear reactors. These designs can often come with new fuel and cladding structures, which opens the door to exploring new fuel material options; especially if some of the drawbacks of high-density fuels, concerning their interactions with water and steam, are mitigated, or even removed. The University of Bristol has worked on advanced fission fuel concepts for the past decade in collaboration with UKNNL, as part of the advanced fuel cycle programme and the uranics innovation centre. This PhD is in partnership with Rolls Royce, within their advanced materials programme and will be focussed on the high-density uranium boride-uranium nitride ternary fuel system as a potential dispersion fuel candidate.  

This PhD will involve advanced nuclear materials synthesis and characterization, using some of the most cutting-edge nuclear materials facilities in the UK (nnuf.ac.uk/FaRMS). The student will take the lead in creative experimental design and analysis, with the potential for large-scale international facility access. There will be close cooperation with industry partners, opportunities to travel to international partner institutes and facilities, and this will be an exciting chance to employ their scientific skills on critically important real-world problems. 

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 for those with employment or other personal commitments.   

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

This position is due to start in October 2026.   This project is likely to include a placement with the sponsor and located in Derby.    

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.    

 Students are required to be able to achieve MoD Enhanced BPSS status, as a condition of ongoing enrolment and funding. Due to conditions of funding, a 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.