About us
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN) trains the next generation of researchers to lead in nuclear fission and fusion, supporting the UK's energy and net zero goals.
Why nuclear fission matters
Since the 2004 Energy Act, nuclear fission has been a vital part of the UK's Energy and Net Zero Strategies. As nuclear energy remains key to a low-carbon energy future, the UK is recognised globally for its expertise in safe and efficient decommissioning, and managing nuclear legacies.
The SATURN CDT equips future leaders with expertise in decommissioning, advancing nuclear technologies, and shaping nuclear policy. Our programme is at the forefront of developing skilled professionals to lead in these critical areas, ensuring sustainable and secure energy for the future.
Our research themes
The primary goal of the SATURN CDT is to equip researchers with advanced training across nuclear fission science and engineering, focusing on three key themes:
Current nuclear programmes
This theme includes decommissioning and environmental cleanup, managing spent fuel and nuclear materials, geological disposal solutions, current reactor operations, and new reactor builds.
Future nuclear energy
We explore the potential of advanced reactors (from gas-cooled to liquid metal-cooled systems) and advanced fuel cycles, alongside pioneering research into fusion technologies and remote handling capabilities.
Nuclear energy in a broader context
This theme examines nuclear energy’s economic, regulatory, and societal aspects, integrating cross-sector technologies like robotics and systems engineering to enhance efficiency, sustainability, and safety.
Why join the SATURN CDT?
We provide numerous benefits
- A generous PhD/EngD stipend uplift to far above standard UKRI rates, and large consumables and travel budgets to support research and personal and professional development.
- A well-established and fully optimised 12-week taught programme to get a comprehensive general training in nuclear science and engineering. As a result we take students from across STEM.
- Secondments and networking with a large number of industrial partners to boost employability in the growing UK nuclear industry.
- Multiple opportunities to travel to conferences and nuclear site visits, as well as to get involved with outreach and other public-facing activities. Yearly trips include those to US National Labs, research reactors in Taiwan and visits to SMR centres of expertise.
We have a strong track record of success
- SATURN and its precursor EPSRC CDTs have been running continuously since 2009.
- We train cohorts of up to 50 PhD/EngD students per year that are supported by the UK nuclear industry, UK government and University sector funding.
- Over 150 PhD/EngD students have already graduated from SATURN and its precursor CDTs, with the vast majority going into nuclear as their first destination.
- We act as a powerful EDI engine-of-change for the UK nuclear industry, with a gender balance of 43%F:57%M against a sector backdrop of 20%F:80%M and high-quality EDI training embedded throughout the programme.
We address a critical skills gap
- SATURN is designed to fill a recognised skills gap. As early as the 2030s, the combined civil and defence sectors is expected to require 130,000 employees. The number of nuclear PhD/EngD graduates now needs to be quadrupled to address personnel loss by retirement.
- We train highly employable nuclear scientists and engineers, with PhD/EngD projects defined in concert with industry to ensure we deliver the skills and people most needed.
- Our programme prepares students to join the next generation of nuclear leaders.
Ready to shape the future of nuclear fission?
