(SATURN CDT) Impact of the redox behaviour of uranium and magnesium during the vitrification of pumpable wastes

About the Project

Saturn_Nuclear_CDT UoM_Nuclear

This project is focussed on supporting the Sellafield clean-up through investigating the potential vitrification of pumpable intermediate level wastes (ILWs). Pumpable ILWs at Sellafield typically contain high levels of magnesium and uranium, and may also contain multiple transition metals, zirconium, phosphates and platinoids. They can also include a range of organic compounds; breakdown of which is likely to give reducing conditions during thermal treatment. Uranium has multiple oxidation states hence understanding the impact of redox on the incorporation of uranium into vitreous products is essential.

The overall aim of this PhD is to develop of durable vitreous wasteforms (either fully glassy or glass composite materials) suitable for the immobilisation of pumpable U/Mg containing wastes. During this PhD you will undertake a programme of glass development and characterisation to:

• a) understand the impact of melt redox on the incorporation of uranium into vitrified wasteforms;
• b) assess the oxidation state and coordination of uranium in thermally treated wasteforms formed under different redox conditions;
• c) understand the role of magnesium on the structure and performance of vitreous wasteforms, especially when uranium is present;
• d) identify an envelope of glass compositions suitable for the thermal treatment of a range of high U/Mg pumpable wastes.

Industry supervisor: Dr Mike Harrison (UKNNL)

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, 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 at Manchester for any of our students based at a partner institutions SATURN can offer you accommodation in Manchester and cover the cost

Eligibility

You should have a first or upper second class UK honours degree or equivalent in Materials Science and Engineering or a related physical science/ engineering discipline.

Before you apply

We strongly recommend that you contact the supervisor(s) for this project before you apply. For informal enquiries, please contact Russell Hand at R.Hand@sheffield.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).

Subject to funding being confirmed

Funding Notes

The EPSRC funded Studentship will cover full tuition fees at the Home student rate and a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at the UKRI minimum of £26,000 pa. for 2026-2027. 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.