This fully funded four-year PhD studentship is offered within Imperial college London under the supervision of Prof, Robin Grimes, sponsored by UKNNL .  

The next generation of nuclear fuels—such as HALEU, carbides, and nitrides—offers transformative potential for clean energy and advanced reactor systems. However, unlike conventional oxide fuels, their development is limited by a critical challenge: a lack of experimental data. This PhD project will address this challenge by developing advanced modelling approaches to predict how nuclear fuel properties evolve under realistic operating conditions.

You will work at the cutting edge of nuclear materials research, combining quantum-based simulations with large-scale molecular dynamics modelling to establish reliable predictions of temperature-dependent fuel behaviour. Your work will focus on how key properties—such as thermal expansion, heat capacity, oxygen transport, and melting behaviour—change with dopant concentration, defect structures, and deviations from stoichiometry.

A particular emphasis will be placed on understanding the role of burnable poisons, such as gadolinium (Gd), in both conventional fuels (UO₂ and MOX) and emerging fuel systems (UC and UN), where experimental data is especially scarce. You will explore how fuel performance evolves with burn-up, providing critical insight into how materials behave over their operational lifetime.

Project Highlights

• Develop predictive models for temperature-dependent fuel properties
• Combine quantum simulations with large-scale molecular dynamics
• Investigate the impact of dopants and defects on fuel performance
• Support the development of advanced fuels, including HALEU
• Work at the interface of simulation and experimental validation

Your research will help accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation nuclear fuels—supporting the UK’s clean energy ambitions and strengthening national capability in nuclear science and engineering. We are seeking motivated candidates with a strong background in physics, materials science, nuclear engineering, or a related discipline. Experience in computational modelling or simulation is desirable but not essential training will be provided as part of the PANDA doctoral programme.

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.