"Postdoctoral Researcher in Inverse analysis of high temperature mechanical properties of nuclear graphite"

Job Summary

This 36-month postdoctoral position is part of the project ENLIGHT (Enabling a Lifecycle Approach to Graphite for Advanced Modular Reactors) consortium, a £13.2 million, five-year programme accelerating innovation in next-generation nuclear technologies. It aims to deliver critical RD&I to advance the UK’s world-leading graphite expertise — transitioning from Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) to Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

You will undertake research into in situ studies of the effects of temperature on the mechanical properties and deformation behaviour of nuclear graphites and the constituents of its microstructure. You will develop inverse-analyses of the in situ imaging experiments to extract the non-linear stress/strain relationships. You will design critical in situ X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments to examine strain and damage evolution. You will also collaborate in micromechanical testing and advanced characterisation (SEM/TEM/nano-XCT) to understand the mechanisms of deformation.

With a background in testing of materials and numerical analysis, you will be self-motivated, able to plan and deliver a research project. You will have a PhD (or be near completion) in related topics and experience in materials testing, image correlation and inverse analysis to extract material properties.

The overall aim of ENLIGHT is to design and produce sustainable graphite materials for AMR deployment and transform irradiated graphite from a waste stream into a valuable resource. ENLIGHT will deliver this aim across the following three intersecting research programmes:

• Sustainable Graphite - Develop processes for the decontamination, novel recycling, and reuse of irradiated graphite to minimise volumes arising from AMR deployment and provide design guidance on new materials.
• Graphite Selection & Design - Design new graphites to resist mechanical and neutron irradiation degradation in AMR conditions.
• Graphite Performance - Understand the behaviour of these new graphites in AMR conditions and maximise graphite lifetimes under irradiation, in unfamiliar AMR gaseous and liquid coolants.

This post directly supports the Graphite Selection & Design programme, by developing and performing the novel experimental tests and characterisations to provide data and understanding of non-irradiated graphites (effects of processing and the environmental history such as oxidation and salt infiltration). This will help to qualify the new Sustainable Graphites and support activities to predict Graphite Performance.

ENLIGHT will maintain the UK as world leader in nuclear technology vital for AMR fleets that now offer the greatest opportunity for energy independence and deep decarbonisation (i.e. process heat and hydrogen) to meet net zero targets. Our programme of research, collaboration, and skills development will expand and advance the UK graphite research community, nurturing the next generation of graphite engineers and scientists, essential to AMR technology advancement. ENLIGHT will also reduce the volume of graphite legacy waste and support decommissioning of current reactors. By working together with waste custodians, a graphite manufacturer, key industrial and regulatory stakeholders, ENLIGHT will determine what infrastructure and skills are needed to recycle graphite from decommissioned UK reactors.

Application Details

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on 16 Jan 2026. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Interviews are scheduled to take place at the Department of Materials on 26th January 2026 and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person. Please note in normal circumstances only interview travel expenses within the UK will be reimbursed.

183914 JOB DESCRIPTION - enlight 2025.pdf (333.4 KB)