Research Fellow in Nuclear Fuel Cladding Materials

Funding is available for a Research Fellowship for five years, to develop mechanistic understanding concerning the effects of irradiation on reactor core structural materials.  The Research Fellow will be expected to engage with ongoing research into the through-life performance of nuclear fuel cladding materials, both within the Manchester Zr group and the EPSRC-funded MIDAS programme, and via engagement with the industrial sponsor, Rolls-Royce. They will contribute to the day-to-day running of the research group through supervision and by guiding research direction. 

The main area of focus will be to determine which effects are the most important in understanding materials deformation, corrosion and structural integrity, and to concentrate effort appropriately in furthering knowledge in this area. Understanding of current alloy systems will also inform work towards identifying future cladding materials. As such, the position has scope for the researcher to mould the research as they see appropriate whilst delivering programme requirements. 

This Fellowship is for a fixed term of five years and will then, subject to satisfactory performance, be converted into an academic appointment. As an academic member of the Zr group and the Department of Materials, you would be expected to take an active role in the supervision of research. We are a collegiate group, where all researchers take responsibility for the group’s progress and momentum, and well as share in its successes.

Support for establishing your academic career during the Fellowship will include provision of Rolls-Royce-funded PhD studentships, training to develop (for example) grant-writing and leadership skills, mentoring, and extensive opportunities to build links and collaborate with numerous research networks.  You will have the opportunity to make a contribution to teaching programmes in the Department of Materials (not in excess of 10 teaching hours per year) at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, primarily in specialist areas allied to the research remit of the post.  Underpinning this, your probation period will include undertaking the New Academics programme (NAP). NAP is part of a University-wide approach to support new academics and to provide academic staff with the skills they need to carry out their research and teaching and learning duties at the highest level.

The School/Department is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN charter for gender equality in higher education. The School/Department holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff achieve a good work-life balance. We particularly welcome applications from women for this post. All appointment will be made on merit. For further information, please visit: http://www.materials.manchester.ac.uk/about-us/athena-swan/ 

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here

Blended working arrangements may be considered.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:
Name: Dr Philipp Frankel, Department of Materials, University of Manchester
Email: philipp.frankel@manchester.ac.uk 

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Further particulars including job description and person specification are available on the University of Manchester website - click on the 'Apply' button above to find out more

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