Masters Student Bursary 2024 - Uranics Innovation Centre

Job Introduction

Job Description 

Nuclear fission is key to deploying reliable low-carbon power at scale and in the UK as the percentage of electricity generated by nuclear power increases the need to ensure a secure supply of fuel for our reactor fleet will become even more pertinent. Nearly all the UK’s historic and existing nuclear reactors have been fuelled using a UK-led supply chain for uranium enrichment and fuel fabrication. With the anticipated development of a fleet of various Gigawatt (GWe) reactors, Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) it is likely that the UK supply chain will need to meet demand for a range of different fuel types: for reactors which are currently deployed or in construction in the UK or internationally, and for advanced reactors which are not currently operational but first of a kind (FOAK) projects. It is essential that accumulated skills are maintained and enhanced, whilst undertaking world leading, cutting-edge research, as both are crucial for the successful delivery of new nuclear generation.

To support these national mission endeavours the The Uranics Innovation Centre’ Bursary scheme is delivered through the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Nuclear Fuel Fund Uranics Innovation Centre to enable and encourage students to work on topics of national priority relating to uranium based nuclear fuels and supporting front end fuel cycle activities with a focus on:

• Purification
• Conversion
• Deconversion
• Fuel design
• Fuel Manufacturing and waste/effluents management
• U recovery/separations
• Fuel Performance
• Advanced geometry test reactor fuel

There are a minimum of 20 bursaries available in Financial Year 2024/25. 

The bursary may be held alongside other scholarships, studentships, awards or bursaries.

The bursary shall be awarded on the basis of financial need, compatibility with the aims and scope of the Uranics Innovation Centre and on recommendation of the panel.

Applications from under-represented groups are encouraged and supported. 

Essential Criteria

• Applicants must not already hold a Masters qualification or higher. 
• Students must be on accredited courses with in-scope uranics science or engineering content:  
  • full or part-time post-graduate master’s including taught or by research programmes with modular or project components
  • full or part time integrated undergraduate master’s courses wherein the student is completing their final year, year in industry or masters project component
  • modules at master’s degree level being taken with examination being taken as a Continuing Professional Development module, independently or for credit on a post-graduate certificate, post-graduate diploma or part/full-time MSc/MRes.
• Applications must have achieved, or be on course to achieve a 2.1 undergraduate degree. This must be supported by certificates or academic transcripts and reference letters from both their personal and academic tutors (or heads of schools/departments).
• Applicants must be able to obtain BPSS level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment and criminal record checks). 

Subject to availability, there may be another chance to apply for a bursary later in the year.

How to Apply

You are required to  tell us in no more than 500 words how being awarded the The Uranics Innovation Centre bursary would make a difference to you.

Please comment on your motivations for undertaking master’s study, your interest in nuclear science, technology and engineering and your plans for afterwards, and how the bursary would specifically help you in these plans. 

If you have experienced challenging personal circumstances during your undergraduate studies or prior to entry, please include this information e.g. you may have experienced interruptions to study.

We would strongly encourage you to provide as much detail as you can about the ways in which the Bursary would enable you to complete your master’s course. We will use the information in your supporting statement to make the final decision when allocating bursaries. 

If as part of your bursary you are requesting NNL support and/or access to facilities please describe your research project proposal indicating the topic, experimental methods and resources requested in no more than 750 words. 

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory