(SATURN CDT) Decarbonising nuclear infrastructure through CO2-absorbing and crack-free concrete

About the Project

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT UoM_Nuclear Nuclear power generates about 15-20% of the UK’s electricity, producing radioactive waste that must be securely contained over long timescales. Concrete is widely used across all waste storage categories, from engineered vaults and waste package containers to the construction of the planned Geological Disposal Facility. While offering structural support and radiation shielding, concrete is susceptible to early-age microcracking from drying, thermal, or mechanical stress. These defects increase permeability, accelerating reinforcement steel corrosion and compromising long-term durability. In nuclear storage environments, such degradation poses a particular challenge, as inspection and maintenance are technically demanding, hazardous, and costly. To address this challenge, self-healing concrete has emerged as a strategy to autonomously repair microstructural damage and restore impermeability. This enhances both mechanical integrity and hydraulic barrier performance, extending service life while reducing the need for future maintenance and intervention. Among self-healing approaches, bio-concrete, which employs microbial activity to induce calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) precipitation, has shown particular promise.

This PhD project will develop novel bio-concretes incorporating naturally occurring soil microorganisms capable of capturing atmospheric CO₂ and mineralising it into carbonate-based crack sealants. The research will integrate microbial screening and genomic identification, cement-microbe compatibility studies, and controlled cracking and healing experiments using microscopy, mechanical testing, permeability analysis, and radiation testing under simulated nuclear storage conditions. Together, these investigations will quantify self-healing efficiency, radiation-shielding performance and corrosion resistance, whilst enabling prediction of long-term durability and CO₂-sequestration potential. The project aims to advance a low-carbon, cost-effective, and resilient concrete system tailored for the UK’s nuclear waste infrastructure, aligned with national net-zero objectives. The outcomes will inform the design of next-generation nuclear containment materials and may extend to other critical infrastructure, supporting the UK’s Nuclear Decommissioning Authority strategy for sustainable waste management.

Throughout the 4-year PhD programme, the PhD candidate will have opportunities to develop skills and experience in the following areas:

1. Interdisciplinary skills at the interface of materials engineering and nuclear science.
2. Nuclear Boot Camp: A three-month taught programme designed to provide a grounding in the nuclear fuel cycle and core knowledge for nuclear science and engineering.
3. Professional Development: Communication and networking through engagement with the wider nuclear community, including industry, via the SATURN network and meetings.
4. Academic Writing and Research Dissemination: Developing high-quality publications and presentation skills through national and international conferences.
5. Commercialisation Awareness: Engagement with the University of Liverpool Enterprise Team on intellectual property and potential commercial pathways.

For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Sang at g.sang@liverpool.ac.uk

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 Sang at g.sang@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

Funding Notes

The EPSRC funded Studentship in collaboration with The University of Liverpool will cover full tuition fees at the Home student rate and a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting with an enhanced stipend rate of 26,000. The Studentship also comes with access to additional funding in the form of a research training support grant which is available to fund conference attendance, fieldwork, internships etc.