Postdoctoral Research Associate in Thermal Treatment of Radioactive Wastes in Sheffield

Fixed-term (until 31/3/2028) Full time – 37 hours per week. Closing date 04/01/2026 at 23:30.

We’re seeking an ambitious & capable Postdoctoral Research Associate to join an international research project focused on advancing the thermal treatment and vitrification of problematic secondary radioactive wastes from nuclear decommissioning activities. The project brings together partners from SHU, Glass Technology Services (GTS), UK National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL), Sellafield Ltd, and Japan’s Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI).

This is a hands‑on, laboratory‑based role focused on developing, testing, and scaling up new glass and glass‑ceramic wasteform compositions for the immobilisation of complex waste streams such as incinerator residues, ion‑exchange media, and filtration materials. You will be based at our School of Engineering and Built Environment, with opportunities to carry out pilot‑scale work and technology demonstrations at Glass Technology Services Ltd in Sheffield and short research visits to collaborating laboratories in the UK and Japan.

The post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute directly to national and international decommissioning programmes, while developing specialist expertise in high‑temperature materials processing, wasteform design, and nuclear materials characterisation.

The project will follow four general threads of work, focusing on understanding the wastes present between Sellafield and Fukushima Daiichi, developing wasteforms to immobilise these wastes, and exploring how to achieve sufficient wasteform properties at industrially‑relevant scales:

• Understand and Define Waste Envelopes
• Define Compositional Envelopes for Waste Thermal Treatment
• Demonstrate Impact of Treatment Scale
• Project Management, Partner Engagement and Dissemination Activities

You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in materials science, chemistry, or a related field, with practical experience in high‑temperature processing, glass science, or nuclear wasteform development. You’ll have strong experimental skills, a collaborative mindset, and an enthusiasm for applying fundamental research to real‑world environmental and industrial challenges.

With outstanding communication and teamworking skills, experience of glasses, ceramics and radioactive waste immobilisation and characterisation, you will be able to demonstrate practical ability to solve real‑world industrial problems and challenges. The position will involve UK and international travel, and will require the ability to pass the Baseline Personnel Security Standard for Sellafield Ltd.

We offer a diverse range of benefits and opportunities to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career in a supportive environment. You will be contractually enrolled into the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) – one of the largest and most generous defined benefit pension schemes in the country. The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international applicants in this role; this will depend on a number of factors specific to the individual applicant. We welcome applications for job‑share, part‑time and flexible working arrangements.

We recommend you download the job description and person specification when you apply, as this will not be available once the job has closed.

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£32,080 to £38,784 per annum, depending on experience (Grade 6).