Nuclear Structural Materials for Extreme Environments

This PhD project will investigate irradiation and corrosion of nuclear structural materials, with the aim of understanding how microstructural and chemical changes influence long-term materials reliability. Particular emphasis will be placed on irradiation-induced defects, elemental redistribution, corrosion and oxidation, and their interactions in materials relevant to advanced nuclear systems.

The project will combine advanced materials characterisation and mechanistic analysis to establish relationships between processing, microstructure, environmental exposure, and materials degradation. Depending on the candidate's interests, research may involve advanced electron microscopy, atom probe tomography, mechanical testing, corrosion experiments, and complementary computational or data-analysis approaches.

The broader goal is to develop fundamental understanding and materials design strategies for structural materials capable of operating reliably in extreme nuclear environments, contributing to the development of safer and more sustainable nuclear energy technologies.

Candidates with strong backgrounds in one or more of the following areas are encouraged to apply: materials science, metallurgy, nuclear engineering, and mechanical engineering.

Applications accepted all year round. Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide).