This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered within the University of Birmingham under the supervision of Dr Claire Dancer, sponsored by Lucideon.  

Ceramic materials are essential in nuclear fission reactors because they can withstand extreme temperatures, radiation, corrosion, and mechanical loading. They are used in fuel, protective coatings, control systems, and structural and insulating components. However, reactor conditions can vary significantly across a component, creating steep gradients in temperature, radiation exposure, pressure, and mechanical stress. A material with a uniform composition and structure may therefore not provide the best performance throughout the whole component.  

  This PhD project will investigate architectured ceramics: materials designed so that their composition and internal structure vary deliberately across different regions. These variations could include controlled changes in porosity, grain size, chemical composition, interfaces, and the arrangement of different ceramic phases. The aim is to create combinations of thermal and mechanical behaviour that cannot be achieved using a conventional homogeneous material.  

  The project will focus on fuel-pellet geometries, using safe, non-radioactive surrogate materials. Example systems will include zirconium dioxide or cerium dioxide cores with shells made from silicon carbide, zirconium carbide, or tantalum carbide. The research will examine how these structures respond to temperature gradients and how their design can reduce or manage residual stresses, cracking, and failure.  

  You will combine experimental ceramic processing with computer modelling. Experimental work will include developing powder-processing, forming, additive manufacturing, and sintering routes to produce ceramics with controlled internal architectures. Structures may include compositionally graded materials, networks of interfaces, ordered inclusions, or alternating dense and porous layers.  

  Materials will be characterised using methods including X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, chemical composition mapping, Raman microspectroscopy, and thermal analysis. The project will also draw on specialist processing expertise and facilities at Lucideon, the industrial partner. Suitable samples may be selected for ion-irradiation studies through collaborating facilities.  

  The project will establish practical relationships between processing, internal structure, thermal and mechanical properties, and material reliability. The results will support the development and future qualification of architectured ceramics for nuclear applications.  

This interdisciplinary project would suit applicants from materials science, engineering, physics, chemistry, manufacturing, or related subjects. Previous experience in all the methods described is not required, as appropriate training will be provided. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive and supportive research environment. 

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

This position is due to start in October 2026. This project may include a placement tbc.

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.