Programme
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Skills And Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN) has training at the core of the programme. With specialist education from academic and sector experts, you’ll be prepared for a career as a nuclear scientist or engineer.
Year 1
Nuclear Boot Camp (Months 1 - 3)
Your training begins with the Nuclear Boot Camp, an intensive taught programme designed to provide a grounding in the nuclear fuel cycle and other knowledge needed to support your research in nuclear science and engineering.
- The Boot Camp is mostly taught in Manchester, with teaching from subject matter experts from all six partner institutions and industry partners.
- This training provides an excellent opportunity for you to meet others in your cohort, as there will be group assignments and peer-to-peer teaching that will help you build strong working relationships.
The Nuclear Boot Camp will give you an introduction to the topics displayed in the following drop-down.
- CDT induction – Nuclear in the UK
- Introduction to ionising radiation and underlying physical principles
- Underlying chemical principles 9
- Introduction to the nuclear fuel cycle
- Nuclear power in action (including site visits to: Heysham, DCF, NNL, Sellafield)
- Structural integrity
- Reactors, fuels and strategic materials
- Radiation effects
- Radioactive waste
- New engineering (AI, additive manufacturing, smart materials)
- Safety risk and regulation
- Social science, innovation, economics and policy.
Specific skills training (Months 4 - 6)
The Specific Skills Training runs from month 4 to month 6. You will complete two bespoke training units that will develop your research and technical skills in the research area you’re interested in.
This will be based in the university where your project is based, but you can draw on resources from any of the six partner universities too.
Months 6 - 48
In this next phase, students begin their PhD thesis research. This is when you’ll progress onto your doctoral research and start your project. You’ll benefit from a dual-supervision model, combining guidance from both an academic supervisory team and an industrial partner. This collaborative mentorship will provide you with academic insights and the practical applications of your research, preparing you to contribute effectively to the future of nuclear energy.
Training and experience
- Alongside your research project, you’ll have many opportunities to develop the skills needed for you to graduate as a highly employable nuclear scientist or engineer.
- You could take advantage of a secondment at an industry partner to develop hands-on experience in the sector as well as help inspire a younger generation of future scientists through outreach activities.