Development of a novel analytical platform combining laser-based techniques and multivariate data analysis for the characterisation of radioactive waste disposal materials

About the Project

The aim of this project is the development of an analytical platform based on the combination of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) with multivariate data analysis, for the rapid, cost-effective and waste-free characterisation of solid materials relevant to the nuclear industry and radioactive waste disposal.

The combined use of LA-ICP-MS and LIBS can provide advantages beyond the complementary information that the two techniques can offer. While LIBS gives quantitative and distribution information of light and bulk components, LA-ICP-MS can detect isotope concentrations at ultra-trace levels. However, successful quantification relies heavily on reference materials, and suffers from precision limitations due the heterogeneity of the solid samples. This project proposes to apply multivariate data strategies that use emission from the solid matrix components for standardisation of data and correlation to the volume of ablated material, to improve the accuracy and precision of quantification.

The developed techniques will enable the chemical fingerprinting and spatial distribution of radionuclides species in soils, rocks and mineral phases to investigate the mechanisms of migration of these radioisotopes.

All students funded through the RAPTOR DFA network will be required to undertake 60 credits of training modules as part of the PhD, which will be carried out during the first 3 months of the PhD. Upon completion of the training modules you will receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Nuclear Skills awarded by the University of Liverpool, in addition to your PhD. During the period October – December 2026 you will be required to spend 1 week at each of our partner DFA Universities at Liverpool, Manchester and Suffolk to attend some of these training lectures. All costs for these visits will be covered by the DFA, and more information about this training will be provided when you apply for the PhD.

The applications are open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees.

Supervisors: Dr Monica Felipe-Sotelo, Professor Michael Short and Professor Carol Crean

Entry requirements

Open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information. Starting in October 2026. Later start dates may be possible, please contact Dr Monica Felipe-Sotelo once the deadline passes.

You will have to meet the minimum entry requirements for our PhD programme.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted via the Chemistry PhD programme page.

In place of a research proposal, you should upload a document stating that this application is to the RAPTOR Nuclear Skills DFA, the title of the project that you wish to apply for and the name of the relevant supervisor.

Funding Notes

Fully and directly funded for this project only by RAPTOR Nuclear Skills Doctoral Focal Award.

Stipend is fully funded at the enhanced UKRI level of £26,000 per year, for 4 years.

UK tuition fees are included in the funding offer.

RTSG is £5k per year.

Applications are open to candidates who pay UK/home rate fees. See UKCISA for further information.