Research Studentship in ‘Fracture and fatigue of nuclear graphite’

Research Studentship in ‘Fracture and fatigue of nuclear graphite’

3.5-year D.Phil. studentship

Supervisors: Prof Dong (Lilly) Liu and Prof Paul Shearing

Nuclear-grade graphite has been one of the key life limiting factors for current UK Advanced Gas Cooled Reactors (AGRs) and is being projected for use in many Gen-IV reactor designs, such as pebble bed and prismatic high temperature reactors (HTRs) internationally. However, there is still a lack of understanding in the failure criteria of this class of ceramic-like materials under monotonic and cyclic loading in extreme conditions, for example, at high temperature and post neutron radiation. There is a need to foster the next generation of researchers in nuclear graphite to support the UK ambition of NetZero. This project will be performed under the direct supervision of Prof. Dong (Lilly) Liu and Prof. Paul Shearing at the University of Oxford and co-supervised by EDF Energy (UK).

This is a very exciting project as you will have access to a range of novel grades of nuclear graphite targeted for GenIV reactor designs; in addition, you will be trained and able to use advanced X-ray/neutron diffraction and computed micro- and nano-tomography to acquire novel insights in the deformation and fracture of these materials, in particular their fatigue behaviour changes with processing parameters, temperature and radiation damage. In situ mechanical testing with scanning electron microscope imaging will also be used for higher resolution observation of the crack formation and propagation. You will be collaborating with AI experts developing image analysis methods suitable for nuclear graphite; you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with modellers to better understand the experimental data. Ultimately you will develop a microstructure-based, multiple length-scale failure criteria for these materials during your DPhil study. You will be working with a large team in Prof. Liu and Prof. Shearing’s group of more than 30 researchers, as well as beamline scientists at Diamond Light Source, US Advanced Light Source, ESRF and top graphite experts at EDF Energy. You are expected to produce DPhil quality results and able to present your work at international conferences; you are expected to develop the ability and skills for scientific writing of research publications and eventually your DPhil thesis during the study period.

Eligibility

This studentship is open to UK students (full award – home fees plus UKRI standard stipend).

There may be flexibility to support international students. If you are an international student and want to apply for this studentship, please contact the supervisor to see whether the flexibility might be available for you. Applicants wish to be considered for departmental scholarships must apply before 03 December 2024.

Award Value

University course fees are covered at the level set for UK students (c. £10,070 p.a.). The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) will at least c. £19,237 p.a. for the first year, and at least this amount for a further two and a half years.

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

•      A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours (or equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science or Physics

•      Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English

•      Strong mathematical and analytical skills

•     Willingness to travelling to international collaborators and science facilities for experimental work (expenses will be covered).

The following skills are also highly desirable:

•      Strong laboratory-based skills

·            Programming skills (Matlab, Python, or similar)

Applicants with a strong 2.1 degree are also encouraged to apply if they can demonstrate excellent laboratory skills and critical thinking ability through previous research or an undergraduate project.

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Dong.Liu@eng.ox.ac.uk and paul.shearing@eng.ox.ac.uk

Candidates must submit a graduate application form and are expected to meet the graduate admissions criteria. Details are available on the course page of the University website.

Please quote 25ENGMM_DL in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: noon on 03 December 2024

Start date: October 2025