Project Description:
Not all legacy radiological contamination is distributed uniformly within former ponds, labs, hot-cells, or waste processing and storage environments – many of which urgently require assessment and decommissioning across the UK’s nuclear estate to reduce on-site risks. With their eventual end-of-life clearance not considered, many of these are difficult or impractical for workers to access due to space constraints and hostile conditions. Extreme dose-rates mean that human entry is limited to very brief periods; robotic systems represent the only means through which characterisation and remediation can be safely performed.
Following successful conceptual work, alongside industrial and government collaborators, this PhD will deliver a unique characterisation ‘head’, comprising stand-off Raman, gamma-ray spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and 3D-scanning lidar. This will be combined with co-incident decontamination methodologies, e.g., high-pressure water-jetting and laser cleaning for targeted contamination removal on a wide suite of materials such as metals, alloys, concrete, brick/stone, and asphalt. This multi-functional robotic assay and remediation ‘toolkit’ will additionally utilise machine learning to expedite localisation and contamination removal and enhance decontamination procedures by learning from ‘previous experiences’ to iteratively improve its approach.
Project Description:
During the PhD, the student will learn about robotics, non-destructive materials characterisation (e.g. Raman, XRF, gamma-ray spectroscopy), decontamination methodologies (e.g. laser and water-jetting) and digital twin development, as well as a wider appreciation of the skills and practices associated with radioactive materials, radiological protection and nuclear waste management.
Aside from the NDA Estate, skills in radioactive materials, characterisation and remediation are in great demand, within the nuclear sector, e.g. nuclear generation/accident scenarios and intentional/deliberate release scenarios. Hence, there will be opportunities for the student to become a subject matter expert and provide crucial information to governmental departments with responsibilities in this area. There is also considerable potential (as previously proven by the Bristol team with by the work at Chernobyl) for the technology to be exported internationally.
Laboratory experimentation will be conducted using the state-of-the-art facilities at the University of Bristol’s Interface Analysis Centre (IAC), where the studentship
will be based. UoB (with partner organisations/institutions) possesses all necessary equipment and technical expertise to deliver the combined in-situ characterisation and decontamination aspects. Furthermore, Bristol also part- hosts NNUF-HR, providing unparalleled access to robotic and sensory equipment, development, and testing facilities.
Application and Funding:
This project is funded by the NDA PhD Bursary Scheme for 3.5 years. The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, stipend (standard UKRI rate), and a research training and support grant subject to eligibility. If you are interested in applying for the position, please get in touch with Peter Martin ([Email Address Removed]) or Tom Scott ([Email Address Removed]).
A formal application needs to be submitted through the University of Bristol online application: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. The closing date for applications is 28th April 2023.
Please choose “Physics PhD” as course, and mention “NDA PhD Bursary Scheme” as corresponding studentship advert and “Peter Martin” as contact person. Applications should include a Curriculum Vitae, contact information for two potential referees and a short letter outlining the applicant’s scientific interests, suitability and motivation to work on the topic.
Further Information:
Alongside completing the online application form, applicants are required to upload a short CV. The start date for this PhD is currently planned for September/October 2023.
We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation as well as across all areas of our community. As such, we aim to have students from all backgrounds who are passionate about physics and engineering and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. Unfortunately, owing to the topic of this PhD, only UK applicants or those with permission to work and study in the UK are permitted to apply.
We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), sex or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non-binary community, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.
The University of Bristol is an Investors in People organisation, with the School of Physics having achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN, a scheme that recognises an organisation’s commitment and progress in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
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