Sheffield Hallam University – Advanced Wasteform Development for Challenging Nuclear Waste Streams (PhD)

Overview

Competition-funded PhD at Sheffield Hallam on immobilising challenging UK nuclear waste streams via glass/glass-ceramic wasteforms. Stipend at Living Wage Foundation rate (£22,152). Covers Home fees only — international/EU students must cover the fee shortfall (~£13,362/yr). Deadline: 1 October 2026.

Eligibility

Benefits

Available Fields

• Chemical Engineering, Energy Technology
• Engineering

Required Documents

Application Process

This PhD project at Sheffield Hallam University will directly support the UK nuclear industry by addressing the management and immobilisation of challenging nuclear waste streams ahead of long-term disposal, in collaboration with UK and Japanese nuclear industry partners.

Opportunity

Advanced Wasteform Development for Challenging Nuclear Waste Streams

Supervisors

• Dr Alex Scrimshire (a.scrimshire@shu.ac.uk)
• Dr Sabrin Samad
• Prof Paul Bingham

University

Sheffield Hallam University — Engineering and Built Environment

Country

United Kingdom

Location

Sheffield, United Kingdom

Study Level

PhD (full-time 3.5 years, or part-time 6 years at 50%)

About the Project

The UK faces a multi-decade challenge managing legacy nuclear waste, particularly at sites such as Sellafield. Many waste streams — spent water treatment media, incineration/pyrolysis ashes and residues, and other heterogeneous decommissioning products — remain without clearly defined treatment routes. This project focuses on thermal treatment solutions (glass and glass–ceramic formulations) to immobilise these challenging wastes, and on characterising the resulting wasteforms against standard requirements.

Core Activities

• Designing and preparing surrogate waste materials representative of challenging nuclear waste streams
• Developing glass and glass–ceramic formulations tailored to variable and impure feedstocks
• Investigating thermal behaviour, melt processing, and material stability
• Characterising wasteforms using XRF, XRD, SEM, spectroscopy and thermal analysis
• Assessing chemical durability and performance under simulated disposal conditions

Who Can Apply

A good degree (1st or 2:1) or Master’s-level qualification in materials science, condensed matter physics, or an equivalent related discipline. Both theoretical and practical hands-on expertise expected; willingness to travel to partner institutions and conferences is essential.

Eligibility / English Requirement

International candidates require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in all components (or equivalent).

Funding Notes

This fully funded scholarship covers Home PhD fees only and provides a stipend at the Living Wage Foundation rate (£22,152 for 2025/26, increasing annually). The scholarship is open to Home, EU and International applicants, but the shortfall between the Home and EU/International fee — currently around £13,362 per year — must be covered by the student for the duration of the scholarship (no additional funding available to cover this gap). Available for 3.5 years full-time or 6 years part-time (paid at 50%).

Application Requirements

• Research proposal (max. 1500 words)
• Cover letter (max. 1 page)
• Copy of highest degree certificate
• Non-UK applicants: IELTS results (last 2 years) and passport copy
• 2 references, at least one academic, sent directly by referees

Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the lead academic, Dr Alex Scrimshire (a.scrimshire@shu.ac.uk), before applying. Apply online via https://www.shu.ac.uk/research/degrees. Start date for studentship: February 2027.

Application Deadline

1 October 2026.