The new PhD course in Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications is part of a Doctoral Focal Award (DFA) in Accelerating Nuclear Development and Applications (PANDA) led by the University of Bangor, in collaboration with the Universities of Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Derby, Manchester, Imperial College London and the UK National Nuclear Laboratory.
PANDA will develop technically excellent, professionally capable graduates fluent in nuclear safety, standards, strategic communication and regulation. Their research will focus on the following core areas:
fuel performance and the wider fuel cycle,
nuclear materials and manufacturing, and
reactor and system design including advanced, small modular concepts.
These are unified by a methods-for-innovation theme applying uncertainty quantification, experimentation, modelling and artificial intelligence to speed up the transition from research to deployment. The adoption of these modern methods will enable safety margins to be defined more precisely, reducing unnecessary conservatism and improving both cost and performance.
Learning outcomes
Each student will train through a cohort-based programme that integrates research, taught modules, and placements grounded in real operating environments. Over four years, students will be co-supervised by academic and industrial mentors and spend time on placement in industry, gaining experience of facilities and working across academic and professional environments. Therefore, building long-lasting networks of nuclear professionals across industry and academia. Training in responsible research, data handling and public engagement will promote trust and high standards.
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