Teaching
The teaching/training element of the programme consists of a number of modules over the first seven months followed by independent research leading to a thesis.
The aim of the taught/training components is to obtain in-depth subject knowledge and hands-on skills utilizing key instrumentation across the consortium through lectures, seminars, hands-on laboratory work and self-study.
Module 1: A baseline module will focus on developing a grounding in nuclear physics through an introduction to nuclear reaction theory and a novel course providing a data-driven introduction to nuclear structure.
Module 2: An instrumentation/radiation detection module will be a mix of flipped classroom learning and hands-on laboratory-based work at Lancaster, Surrey and York.
Module 3: A simulation and modelling module will introduce reactor physics and Monte Carlo simulation.
Module 4: A nuclear data pipeline module will heavily focus on practical use of codes.
Module 5: A consolidation module will take the form of a mini-project running through the taught part of the programme building on all the elements learned.
These modules will be delivered by a combination of online learning and in-person teaching at PLANET universities and some of the programme’s industrial collaborators.
The training concludes with a consolidation project, in which students work in teams (with industry input) to perform a key measurement of relevance for the nuclear industry using either the National Physical Laboratory accelerator or the TRIGA (Training, Research, Isotopes, General Atomics) research reactor (in Slovenia), and associated group activities in which students write up and present their results at a mini conference type event.
Depending on the focus of their PhD, students will have the opportunity to take further optional modules to develop skills and knowledge relevant to their research.
There will also be opportunities for outreach and public engagement, as well as training in innovation and IP, entrepreneurialism, export control, compliance, research integrity, and project management.
| One to one supervision |
PhD students can expect to attend at least eight hour-long individual meetings with their supervisor every calendar year. The University of Cambridge publishes an annual Code of Practice for Research Students which sets out the University’s expectations regarding supervision. |
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| Seminars & classes |
Seminars will be an important component of in-person teaching, particularly as a means of sharing industry perspectives on the state of the art and future developments and challenges. |
| Lectures |
Lectures will be an important component of in-person teaching associated with the delivery of modules at PLANET universities. |
| Practicals |
Each module involves practical work in the form of hands-on experimental work and/or computational work. Elements of the practical work involve group work and group reporting. |
| Literature Reviews |
A Literature Review will form part of the thesis |
| Taught/Research Balance |
Predominantly Research
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Placements
The PLANET programme will offer all students an optional industrial placement as a means of broadening their experience beyond their research project to enhance their employability. Most placements will take place broadly within the nuclear industry, but opportunities will also be offered in areas such as policy, data science, and scientific instrument development.
A typical placement will be up to three months in duration and take place in year 2. The placement may be fully on-site or involve hybrid working; this can be tailored to suit individual circumstances recognising issues such as caring responsibilities.
Feedback
Students can expect to receive termly reports from their University supervisor, via an online system, and will be able to submit an online self-evaluation report in the first term of each year of the programme.
Students will receive comments on items of coursework and, for their thesis, will have access to a University supervisor, a second supervisor at another of the PLANET universities and an industrial supervisor.
All students will also have personal access to the programme director and the other staff delivering the course.
Assessment
Thesis / Dissertation
The doctoral thesis should be submitted by the end of the fourth year (full-time). The thesis will have to comply with the rules and regulations set out by the department in which the student is registered for their PhD. The typical length of the PhD thesis will not exceed 60,000-65,000 words. A compulsory viva voce examination will follow thesis submission.
Other
All PhD students are probationary at first and progression (and registration for the PhD) depends on a successful probationary review. In the 4th term (full-time), students are required to submit a report and have an oral assessment on the report contents and plans for the remainder of the project. The report format and submission deadline will be specified by the department in which the student is registered for their PhD.