PhD Studentship - Advanced Heat‑pipe‑cooled Reactors for Powering Space Exploration, Off-Grid Power and Resilient Grids

The University of Manchester - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

How to apply: uom.link/pgr-apply-2425

This 3.5-year PhD studentship is open to Home (UK) students. Exceptional overseas candidates can be considered on a case by case basis. 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. Additional funding will be provided by industry. The start date is October 2026.

Heat‑pipe‑cooled reactors (HPCRs) are an emerging class of advanced microreactors that enable inherently passive heat removal and high‑temperature operation. These features make HPCRs attractive for demanding applications including space power and exploration missions, remote/off‑grid energy supply, industrial heat, and resilient electricity grids.

In “monolithic” (solid‑state) HPCR concepts, fuel and structural functions are integrated within a compact core that embeds heat pipes directly. This architecture can reduce reliance on pumped primary coolant systems and simplify plant operation and maintenance. However, credible assessment and rapid design iteration require modelling approaches that can efficiently capture the strong coupling between neutronics, heat removal, and temperature feedback.

This PhD will develop and validate an integrated, computationally efficient modelling workflow for monolithic HPCR systems, coupling deterministic reactor physics with thermal/heat‑pipe simulation. The work will establish a verified neutronics baseline, develop a thermal/heat‑pipe model, and integrate the tools to quantify temperature feedback and enable rapid reactor core design exploration and optimisation.

Training and environment:

The student will receive structured training and supervision in reactor physics and multi‑physics modelling, including WIMS/MONK training supported by our industrial partner (Amentum), peer‑supported training in SERPENT, and standard COMSOL training courses. The project is expected to generate publishable advances in modelling workflows and contribute to building UK capability in an important advanced reactor area.

The ideal candidate will enjoy computational modelling and quantitative problem‑solving, with a strong foundation in thermal sciences and the motivation to work across neutronics, heat transfer, and simulation workflows.

Eligibility

Applicants should have (or expect to achieve) a strong degree, i.e., at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent), in a relevant discipline such as Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Materials, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related quantitative subject.

Essential/important:

• Evidence of strong quantitative skills and interest in computational modelling.
• Basic programming/scripting ability (e.g., Python, MATLAB, Julia, C/C++) and confidence working with numerical tools.

Desirable:

• Familiarity with heat transfer/thermodynamics and/or finite‑element methods.
• Prior exposure to reactor physics (deterministic or Monte Carlo methods), Linux/HPC workflows, or multi‑physics simulation.

To apply, and for further details, please contact the main supervisor; Dr Mengqi Bai - mengqi.bai@manchester.ac.uk. 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.