(SATURN CDT) A Fast Neutron Detector System for Fissile Hold-Up Assay and Localisation

About the Project

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT

‘UoM_Nuclear’

Identifying, quantifying, and localising fissile material ‘hold-up’ is a long-standing challenge across the UK nuclear estate. At sites such as Sellafield and Dounreay, accurate hold-up measurements are essential for post-operational clean-out and decommissioning. Current approaches often rely on moderated Helium-3 detector systems, which are bulky and therefore unsuitable for many space-restricted environments.

This PhD project will develop a fast-neutron detector system to assay and localise fissile materials in challenging nuclear environments. The project will be undertaken as part of the Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN) Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) and will be based at the University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Radiometric Systems Group (RSG) at Sellafield Ltd.

This project will combine experimental measurements and radiation transport simulations. You will experimentally characterise Helium-4 gas detectors and SiPM-coupled plastic scintillators for fast neutron detection in high-gamma backgrounds. These measurements will be used to validate simulation models produced using Monte Carlo radiation transport codes (MCNP), and to create methodologies for estimating fissile mass, spatial distribution, and associated uncertainties. Experimental measurements will be performed at the University of Liverpool and on the Sellafield site.

Through this work, you will develop a range of key technical skills in radiation measurement, detector characterisation, and computational modelling that the nuclear decommissioning sector is in critical need of.

Based at the University of Liverpool, you will join the Nuclear Physics research group and receive support from its broad range of experience in radiation detection and nuclear instrumentation. You will also benefit from co-supervision from industry specialists in the Sellafield RSG and the National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL). The project is funded through the SATURN CDT and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA), providing access to NDA-organised events and seminars, including the annual Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning Research Forum, enabling you to build a professional network across the UK nuclear industry.

The project will include opportunities to visit key nuclear sites, including three-month secondment with the RSG on the Sellafield site.

About SATURN

This PhD is based with the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training. SATURN is made up form a consortium of NW Universities that include Manchester, Bangor, Leeds, Liverpool, Lancaster, Sheffield and Strathclyde. The ethos of the programme is to recruit students from across STEM and give them the necessary skills and training to become a subject matter expert in the nuclear sector in either industry or academia. You will be recruited with a cohort of other researchers all looking at nuclear- focused research but from across the breadth of the sector. Your training will include an introduction to nuclear course, as well as opportunities to do a deep dive in the areas that really interest you. You will also have the opportunity to broaden your experience and skills by visiting internationally relevant facilities, having an industry secondment, undertaking leadership training, and involving yourself in outreach and public engagement activities. If this sounds like the sort of opportunity that you are looking for, we would love to hear from you.

Nuclear Boot Camp (Months 1 - 3)

The Bootcamp is based in Manchester. For any of our students based at partner institutions, SATURN can offer you accommodation in Manchester and cover the cost.

Eligibility

Applicants should have, or expect to achieve, at least a 2.1 honours degree or a master’s (or international equivalent) in a relevant science or engineering related discipline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Rintoul at E.Rintoul@Liverpool.ac.uk.

How to apply

Please complete the Enquiry Form to express your interest. We strongly recommend you contact the project supervisor after completing the form to speak to them about your suitability for the project.

If your qualifications meet our standard entry requirements, the CDT Admissions Team will send your enquiry form and CV to the named project supervisor.

Our application process can also be found on our website: here. If you have any questions, please contact SATURN@manchester.ac.uk

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. We know that diversity strengthens our research community, leading to enhanced research creativity, productivity and quality, and societal and economic impact.

We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation and transgender status.

We also support applications from those returning from a career break or other roles. We consider offering flexible study arrangements (including part-time: 50%, 60% or 80%, depending on the project/funder).

Funding Notes

The project is funded through the SATURN CDT and the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) and will cover full UK tuition fees and pay a stipend for a period of 4 years at the £26,000 for 26/27. The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a Research Training Support Grant to fund consumables, conference attendance, etc.