Nuclear Reaction Measurements on the Path to Fusion Energy

About the Project

Project Description:

The College of Business, Technology and Engineering draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. The vision is to be the leading provider of applied research excellence delivering business, materials, computing, science and engineering innovations meeting the development needs of industry.

This project is part of a Graduate Teaching Assistantship scheme, in which the successful applicant will undertake certain teaching duties associated with the student experience, in addition to working towards a PhD qualification. They will contribute up to 180 hours of support for research or teaching related activity per academic year. This activity forms part of the scholarship and there is no additional payment.

PhD Research Topic:

We are encouraging excellent candidates with a physics related background to apply for a fully funded PhD at Sheffield Hallam University, co-supervised with industrial collaborators at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). The successful applicant will be welcomed into a thriving research collaboration centred on experimental measurements of key nuclear reactions for nuclear fusion applications.

The aim of the project is to develop and test new methods of measuring neutron- and gamma-induced reactions for nuclear fusion applications. Despite the incredible promise of nuclear fusion as an energy source, the longevity of future power plants, safety of personnel, and a long-term decommissioning strategy depends crucially on the interactions of radiation emitted during the nuclear fusion process on the surrounding reactor materials.

These interactions can cause nuclear transmutation, producing radioisotopes within reactor components. Careful choices in the compositions of reactor components can mitigate such issues and is something that must be considered at the reactor design stage. Therefore, high quality nuclear reaction data are required to guide simulations that quantify these effects. Dedicated experiments, the focus of this PhD, are needed to measure the nuclear interactions of neutrons and gamma-rays with different isotopes found in common shielding materials. The project comes at a pivotal moment for fusion in the UK, with the STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) reactor project in its early stages in West Burton, just 30 miles from Sheffield. This is a UK-led, world-leading programme bringing government and industry together to develop fusion energy.

The PhD research project will involve fieldwork at major nuclear physics accelerator laboratories, where novel radiation detector systems will be employed to experimentally measure a range of key nuclear reactions for fusion. Of particular interest are measurements of gamma- and neutron-induced reactions on isotopes found in water. Since water will used to cool nuclear fusion reactors, accurately assessing how radioactive the water becomes before it is pumped out of reactors is crucial for adequate shielding design.

Skills in computer programming, scientific communication, radiation detection/measurement and data analysis will be developed throughout the studentship. In addition, the student will receive dedicated training in high‑performance computing and will have access to advanced computational facilities, including, where appropriate, the UK national supercomputing resources. This scholarship will also provide funding for the student to participate in educational postgraduate level summer schools and workshops and to present their findings to industrial collaborators and at national and international conferences.

We welcome and encourage prospective applicants to contact Dr Robin Smith (robin.smith@shu.ac.uk) and Dr Gemma Wilson (gemma.wilson@ukaea.uk) for discussions about the project.

Eligibility

Applicants should hold at least a 1st or 2:1 Honours degree in physics or a related discipline.

Experience in computer programming (e.g. Python or C++) is preferred. Some experience in radiation detection and measurement in a laboratory environment, or in conducting simulations of radiation transport, would be seen as advantageous.

We strongly encourage applications from individuals from groups underrepresented in postgraduate research, including but not limited to women, LGBTQ+, and minoritised ethnic groups.

Information for international applicants

English language requirements of IELTS 7 with a minimum score of 6.5 in all test areas (or equivalent) are mandatory if English is not your first language. Qualifications should have been taken within the last two years. Further information can be found here.

How to apply

To apply for this GTA scholarship, please use our online application form.

You must ensure that you upload:

1. A personal statement (up to 2 pages maximum) detailing your interest in the project and how your experience in academia, industry, research or social activities makes you the best candidate (Please upload this in place of a proposal). We’re looking for evidence of:
   • motivation and curiosity for postgraduate research
   • analytical and technical expertise related to the research proposal
   • ability to communicate clearly
   • planning and organisational skills
   • ability to work independently and collaborate with others
   • commitment to integrity and responsible research
   • resilience to setbacks and challenges
   • where you might contribute to teaching
2. Two letters of reference, or details of two referees, at least one from an academic and both dated within the last 2 years
3. Copy of your highest degree certificate and latest academic transcript
4. Non-UK applicants must submit IELTS results (or equivalent) taken in the last two years and a copy of their passport

If you are applying for multiple GTA projects, please clearly list them all in your application. You will need to submit a tailored personal statement for each project.

Application deadline: 07 May 2026

Start date: October 2026

Interviews: TBC

Information about our research degrees can be found here.

Funding Notes

The GTA scholarship is for 3.5 years of full-time study and provides tuition fees at both the UK (home) and international level plus a maintenance bursary in line with guidance from UK Research and Innovation and the Living Wage Foundation (for illustrative purposes, the Sheffield Hallam University bursary for 25/26 is £22152). GTA scholarships are open to both UK (home) and international applicants.