ACAD107479

We are seeking an enthusiastic and self-motivated (Senior) Research Associate to undertake an experimental programme developed to understand the durability and alteration of minerals and materials relevant to the disposal of radioactive waste.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of the post-closure safety case for the geological disposal of plutonium-containing materials in the UK, as the project is funded by Nuclear Waste Services (the UK's geological disposal facility implementers).

The project is part of an international research effort on plutonium waste forms and is being performed in close collaboration with world-leading scientists and engineers (Australia, UK, Belgium).

You will join an exciting team, recently relocated to The University of Bristol's School of Earth Science, with a world-leading reputation for radioactive waste management and geological disposal research.

If wide-ranging scientific discussions about mineralogy and materials science in the nuclear industry excites you, then the team's affiliation with both the South West Nuclear Hub, and the world-leading Petrology research group, is sure to entice! Our research is supported by end-users in the nuclear industry and used in policy decisions, so this role is an opportunity to join a team who make demonstrable impact with their research.

What will you be doing?

You will lead a research program utilising both standardised and modified leaching / dissolution / corrosion methodologies to determine the durability of U/Th-containing materials - based on natural minerals - as surrogates for plutonium waste forms.

Experiments will be performed under anoxic conditions, and in a variety of different solutions including groundwaters representative of the UK's geological disposal facility for radioactive waste.

Detailed analysis of the surface interfacial reactions that occur will be undertaken (e.g. using microscopy and spectroscopy techniques) to underpin the dissolution mechanisms.

The ultimate goal is to provide data to the research sponsor (Nuclear Waste Services) to give confidence in the safety of the disposal of plutonium, in immobilised form, in a geological disposal facility, should policy dictate.

This post would suit someone with (or close to completion of) a PhD in materials science or Earth science, or chemistry / chemical engineering.

You should apply if you have demonstrable technical experience in the durability / dissolution / leaching / corrosion of materials or natural minerals, with experience of aqueous analytical chemistry as well as solid state chemical analysis.

Previous experience of working with radioactive minerals / materials is not necessary as training will be provided.