Strong Foundations and Future Potential

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate excellence in at least one area relevant to nuclear systems and who are excited about developing broader expertise throughout their doctoral training.

Relevant backgrounds include, but are not limited to: Chemistry and Radiochemistry, Physics and Nuclear Physics, Materials Science, Mechanical, Chemical, Civil and Nuclear Engineering, Environmental Science, Geoscience and Geological Disposal, Mathematics and Statistics, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science and High-Performance Computing, Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Policy, Regulation and Security, Economics, Business and Innovation.

Interest in Nuclear Systems

The strongest applicants demonstrate a genuine interest in the role that nuclear technologies will play in addressing major societal challenges over the coming decades. From delivering reliable low-carbon energy and strengthening national energy security to enabling advances in medicine, environmental stewardship, defence, and industrial innovation, nuclear systems will be central to many aspects of a sustainable and resilient future. We are therefore looking for individuals who are excited by the opportunities and challenges associated with developing advanced reactor technologies, managing nuclear materials and fuel cycles, improving environmental monitoring and waste management, and harnessing emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, digital modelling, and advanced sensing.

Applicants do not need prior experience across the breadth of the nuclear sector. Rather, we are interested in individuals who are intellectually curious, motivated to tackle complex real-world problems, and eager to apply their expertise within an interdisciplinary environment. Successful candidates should be able to articulate why nuclear systems matter, demonstrate an appreciation of the role they can play in society, and explain how their own interests, skills, and aspirations align with the SCANS mission of developing the next generation of leaders in nuclear science, engineering, and technology.

Readiness for Interdisciplinary Research

SCANS is founded on the principle that the most important challenges facing the nuclear sector cannot be solved by any single discipline alone. Addressing issues such as energy security, advanced reactor deployment, waste management, environmental protection, digital transformation, and national resilience requires expertise that spans science, engineering, computing, policy, regulation, and industry. As a result, collaboration lies at the heart of the SCANS training experience.

We are therefore looking for applicants who are intellectually curious and willing to engage beyond the boundaries of their own discipline. Successful candidates will be motivated to learn new methods and approaches, work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, and contribute positively to multidisciplinary teams. They should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively, and show a commitment to personal and professional development through openness to feedback and continuous learning. Above all, we seek researchers who are excited by complexity and who recognise that the future of nuclear systems will be shaped through collaboration across disciplines, institutions, and sectors.

Commitment to Responsible Research

Nuclear research is conducted within highly regulated environments and carries significant technical, environmental, societal, and ethical responsibilities. Whether developing new technologies, managing radioactive materials, supporting environmental stewardship, or informing policy and regulation, researchers in the nuclear sector must uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and scientific excellence. As a result, SCANS seeks applicants who demonstrate a commitment to rigorous, evidence-based research, an appreciation of the importance of safety and quality, and an understanding of the broader implications and responsibilities associated with nuclear science and technology.

We value individuals who approach their work thoughtfully and responsibly, pay close attention to detail, and recognise the importance of maintaining public trust through robust scientific practice. Where relevant, applicants should highlight experiences that demonstrate these qualities, such as laboratory research, computational modelling, field investigations, risk assessment, quality assurance, data management, or work undertaken within regulated or safety-critical environments. However, we recognise that applicants may have gained these skills in a variety of settings and encourage them to draw on experiences from both academic and professional contexts.

Motivation to Deliver Real-World Impact

SCANS has been created to strengthen national capability and address strategic skills needs across the UK nuclear sector. We therefore look for applicants who are motivated not only by academic excellence, but also by the opportunity to create real-world impact. Strong applicants may demonstrate:

• Interest in solving practical challenges
• Experience working with external partners
• Engagement with industry, government or public-sector organisations
• Awareness of the importance of innovation and translation
• Interest in leadership, entrepreneurship, or public engagement

Collaborative and Inclusive Mindset

SCANS is more than a doctoral training programme; it is a collaborative community of students, researchers, academics, industrial partners, and stakeholders working together to address some of the most important challenges facing the nuclear sector. We believe that an inclusive, supportive, and respectful research culture is essential to both individual success and collective innovation.

We therefore seek applicants who will contribute positively to this environment by working effectively with others, valuing different perspectives and experiences, and supporting the success and wellbeing of their peers and colleagues. Successful candidates will recognise the importance of professional communication, constructive collaboration, and mutual respect in building strong research teams and productive partnerships. We are particularly interested in individuals who are committed to fostering an inclusive culture in which people from diverse backgrounds can thrive, contribute their ideas, and reach their full potential. By bringing together talented individuals with different experiences, skills, and viewpoints, SCANS aims to create a vibrant community that reflects the diversity of the society it serves and strengthens the future of the nuclear sector.

Willingness to Develop a Broad Skillset

SCANS students will graduate with far more than technical expertise in their chosen research area. The programme has been designed to develop the broad range of knowledge, skills, and experiences required to become future leaders in the nuclear sector. Alongside advanced disciplinary training, students will have opportunities to engage with areas such as nuclear science and engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, modelling and simulation, and the wider technological innovations shaping the future of the sector.

Equally important, SCANS places strong emphasis on developing the professional skills required to translate research into impact. Throughout the programme, students will strengthen their understanding of research integrity and reproducibility, gain experience in project management and interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop their ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including policymakers, regulators, industry partners, and the wider public. Opportunities for leadership development, innovation training, entrepreneurship, and commercial awareness will further prepare students to operate successfully across academia, industry, government, and national laboratories.

We are therefore looking for applicants who are ambitious, adaptable, and enthusiastic about continuous learning. Successful candidates will recognise that addressing the complex challenges facing the nuclear sector requires both technical excellence and broader leadership capabilities, and will be excited by the opportunity to develop into the next generation of nuclear scientists, engineers, innovators, and sector leaders.