This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered within the University of Bristol under the supervision of Professor Tom Scott, Dr Antonis Banos and Dr Jacek Wasik. This project is sponsored by the Hydrogen Future Industries (HFI). 

Hydrogen is widely recognised as a key component of future clean-energy systems, but one of the major challenges facing its deployment is how to store it safely, efficiently, and economically. This PhD project will investigate advanced uranium-based materials capable of storing large quantities of hydrogen in a compact and secure form.  

Uranium readily reacts with hydrogen to form metal hydrides with exceptionally high hydrogen storage capacities. Unlike conventional hydride-forming materials, uranium combines exceptionally high volumetric hydrogen storage capacity with well-established nuclear-material handling and manufacturing routes, making it a potentially attractive platform for specialised large-scale hydrogen storage applications where performance and robustness are critical.  

However, current uranium-based storage materials require relatively high temperatures to release stored hydrogen and can suffer from performance degradation over repeated charging and discharging cycles. This project aims to overcome these limitations by designing and engineering new uranium alloy systems with improved hydrogen storage performance.  

The successful candidate will investigate how alloy composition, microstructure, and processing methods influence hydrogen absorption and release. The project will involve the fabrication of novel uranium alloys using a range of metallurgical techniques, including heat treatment, mechanical alloying, and advanced materials processing methods. These materials will then be tested to evaluate hydrogen storage capacity, charging and discharging rates, reversibility, and long-term stability.  

A major component of the research will involve hands-on experimental work using specialist facilities for nuclear materials research. The student will receive training in the safe handling and characterisation of uranium-containing materials, providing highly sought-after expertise for careers in the nuclear sector, national laboratories, energy industries, and advanced manufacturing.  

The project will also provide extensive experience with state-of-the-art materials characterisation techniques available through the University of Bristol and collaborating institutions. These include electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, tomography, and surface analysis methods that are widely used across materials science, aerospace, energy, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing industries.  

Alongside experimental studies, the student will develop skills in data analysis and materials design, helping to establish relationships between alloy structure and hydrogen storage performance. This combination of nuclear materials expertise, advanced characterisation, and energy-storage research provides excellent preparation for careers in both academia and industry.  

We welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in materials science, physics, chemistry, engineering, or related disciplines who are excited by experimental research and motivated to contribute to the development of future energy technologies. 

 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 3-month placement in the Bristol area. 

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, 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.