Research Associate in Graphite Sustainability - ENLIGHT Programme

Applications are sought for an outstanding individual to join the Nuclear Graphite Research Group (NGRG) as a full time Postdoctoral Research Associate (Grade 6).

The post is part of the EPSRC funded ENLIGHT - Enabling a Lifecycle Approach to Graphite for Advanced Modular Reactors consortium, a £13.2 million, five-year programme accelerating innovation in next-generation nuclear technologies. It aims to deliver critical RD&I to advance the UK’s world-leading graphite expertise — transitioning from Advanced Gas-cooled Reactors (AGRs) to Advanced Modular Reactors (AMRs).

Applicants must have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline and have extensive experience of advanced characterisation techniques. Ideally the candidate will have some experience working with irradiated materials however training will be provided. Excellent communication, time management, and team working skills are essential. Experience of nuclear-related disciplines and materials such as nuclear graphite would also be beneficial but not essential.

The applicant would be expected to design and implement targeted experiments, and to interrogate graphite materials from different sources. They will be expected to develop manufacturing processes, which will progress the mechanistic understanding of the key areas concerning sustainable graphite, graphite production and future waste minimisation.

The role will give the applicant the valuable opportunity to work closely with the nuclear industry and brings together world-leading expertise led by The University of Manchester in collaboration with the Universities of Oxford, Plymouth, and Loughborough which aims to develop critical technologies to support the deployment of next-generation nuclear energy technology and address two of the UK’s most pressing nuclear challenges - securing a sustainable, sovereign supply of nuclear graphite and finding solutions to manage the country’s growing volume of irradiated graphite waste.

The successful applicant will be responsible for communicating the findings to the collaborating parties, the funding body, and peers within the research field via presentations at international conferences, quarterly meetings and reports, and journal publications. The successful applicant will develop a community of contacts within the nuclear industry both in the UK and worldwide.

The applicant will join a large vibrant research group and will be expected to contribute to wider academic duties such as project student supervision, PhD mentoring and contributing to teaching materials.

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

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

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.

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

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to People.Recruitment@manchester.ac.uk.

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Name: Prof. Abbie Jones

Email: abbie.jones@manchester.ac.uk

Name: Miss Michelle Mallon

Email: michelle.mallon@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: People.recruitment@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

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

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