(SATURN CDT) Deriving Process-Microstructure Relationships for β-Transformed Zirconium Alloys

About the Project

UoM_Nuclear Saturn_Nuclear_CDT

Zirconium alloys serve vital functions in nuclear reactors and so need to survive in extreme environments of heat and radiation damage. Therefore, their thermomechanical processing and subsequent manufacturing, which determines an alloy’s resultant properties, is of high importance. High-temperature β-phase transformations of zirconium alloys take place during a variety of these essential processes, such as hot rolling and welding. The variation in the resulting as-cooled microstructures due to this β transformation can be sufficient to drive various material phenomena, both during post-weld heat treatment (e.g. recrystallisation), but also during operational life (accelerated corrosion, mechanical-property variance, residual-stress buildup). This project aims to develop vital process-prediction capability to link microstructure and resultant properties from a given set of process parameters.

Your studies will be based at the University of Manchester within the zirconium group. This is a large welcoming team of researchers that focus on tackling industrially significant issues with regards to nuclear power. Your research will require extensive use of the University of Manchester’s world-leading electron microscopy facilities to develop novel analysis techniques of nuclear-reactor materials.

A defining feature of this PhD is its partnership with Rolls-Royce. You will gain hands-on experience working with nuclear-reactor components and receive bespoke training and advice directly from industry experts. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to high-impact research that supports nuclear power, which will not just advance fundamental understanding of zirconium alloy microstructure evolution during thermomechanical processes, but will also enhance service lifetimes of these alloys in nuclear reactors to increase sustainability.

As part of the SATURN CDT, you will benefit from world-class training, a vibrant research community, and strong links to industry. Graduates from this programme are highly sought after in both academia and the nuclear sector, opening doors to careers at the cutting edge of materials science and engineering. We encourage you to apply if you are motivated by real-world challenges and want to work closely with leading academic and industrial partners.

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.

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.