This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered within the University of Bristol, under the supervision of Dr Ross Springell, co-supervised by Dr Lottie Harding and Professor Tom Scott, sponsored by Sellafield Ltd. 

The historical activities of the UK nuclear industry has resulted in a legacy of waste derived from metallic uranium spent fuel. This is currently stored in a range of states, from intact fuel cans to “sludge” (a mix of uranium oxides and other corrosion products). These wastes are often held in degrading legacy facilities which were not designed to modern standards. The strategy for safe management and disposal of this waste requires that it is retrieved and placed within a modern storage facility before future “finishing” e.g. immobilisation within a grout matrix, and ultimately placement into a Geological Disposal Facility.   

Uranium hydride is expected to form in environments where uranium and hydrogen are held in proximity, with limited access to water or oxygen which might result in oxidation to uranium oxides. Due to its high reactivity in air, and the resultant potential for self-heating and pyrophoric behaviour, uranium hydride is a concern for each of the waste’s lifecycle stages. Both uranium hydride and uranium oxides are also of concern in respect to the release of radioactive material in accident scenarios.  

The aim of this project is to explore the behaviour of uranium hydride and uranium oxides formed under constrained conditions and in the context of nuclear waste storage environments. This will involve advanced synthesis and characterisation techniques to accelerate Sellafield decommissioning strategies for the retrieval of fuel wastes in legacy storage ponds.  

 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 includes a placement with Sellafield Ltd located in Cumbria.   

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. A specific requirement of this project is ability to achieve SC level clearance.  

 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.