EPSRC - Exploring deterioration mechanisms of performance enhancing coatings for reactor components exposed to demanding environments

About the Project

About Us

The project is jointly offered by the Zr Group and the Materials Performance Group at the University of Manchester - two vibrant, collaborative teams tackling real world challenges in nuclear materials. Together, our groups combine world leading expertise in zirconium alloys, thin film coatings, water chemistry, corrosion, oxidation, and environmental testing in high temperature, high pressure systems.

You will be based at the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials, working closely with both academic teams and with our industrial partner Westinghouse Sweden, a global leader in nuclear fuel technology. Their support provides industrial supervision, insight into real world challenges, and opportunities for engagement with international collaborators.

About Your Project:

Nuclear reactor materials must survive extreme heat, pressure, and corrosive environments. After the Fukushima accident, there’s been a drive to improve reactor safety through accident-tolerant fuels (ATFs), fuels and components that can better withstand severe conditions. One exciting approach is using protective surface coatings to enhance durability and corrosion resistance of fuel cladding while keeping the proven performance of existing materials.

But in the harsh conditions of a nuclear reactor coatings can fail in ways very different to the materials underneath. Your project will explore how and why coatings degrade using controlled autoclave testing and advanced materials characterisation, uncovering pathways to safer, more resilient nuclear fuels and components.

Key Research Questions:

1. What are the main degradation mechanisms of coatings, especially for ATF concepts?
2. How do temperature, pressure, and water chemistry affect coating performance?
3. Which coating properties are most important for long-term durability and safety?

What We Offer

During your PhD, you will:

• Join the MIDAS and Zr Group, working alongside experts in nuclear materials (https://www.zr-midas.org)
• Develop independence while learning cutting-edge experimental and characterisation techniques
• Present your work at local and international conferences

Rewards:

• Strong mentorship and a supportive team—you’ll never feel stuck
• Flexible and hybrid working options
• Competitive, tax-free stipend
• Opportunities for international collaboration and travel
• Develop a range of transferable skills: presentation, leadership, organisation, mentoring
• Join a group with 100% graduate employability, with alumni taking roles in universities, industry, national labs, and research facilities worldwide

Entry requirement

The standard academic entry requirement for this PhD is an upper second-class (2:1) honours degree in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent) OR any upper-second class (2:1) honours degree and a Master’s degree at merit in a discipline directly relevant to the PhD (or international equivalent).

Funding

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) applicants. The successful candidate will receive an annual tax-free stipend set at the UKRI rate (£20,780 for 2025/26; subject to annual uplift), and tuition fees will be paid. We expect the stipend to increase each year. EU students with settled or pre-settled status and international student can apply but their application eligibility will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

The start date is October 2026.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. Please include details of your current level of study, academic background and any relevant experience and include a paragraph about your motivation to study this PhD project.

We recommend that you apply early as the advert may be removed before the deadline.

How to apply

You will need to submit an online application through our website here: https://uom.link/pgr-apply

When you apply, you will be asked to upload the following supporting documents:

• Final Transcript and certificates of all awarded university level qualifications
• Interim Transcript of any university level qualifications in progress
• CV
• You will be asked to supply contact details for two referees on the application form (please make sure that the contact email you provide is an official university/ work email address as we may need to verify the reference)
• Supporting statement: A one or two page statement outlining your motivation to pursue postgraduate research and why you want to undertake postgraduate research at Manchester, any relevant research or work experience, the key findings of your previous research experience, and techniques and skills you’ve developed. (This is mandatory for all applicants and the application will be put on hold without it.
• English Language certificate (if applicable). If you require an English qualification to study in the UK, you can apply now and send this in at a later date.

If you have any queries regarding making an application please contact our admissions team FSE.doctoralacademy.admissions@manchester.ac.uk