Postdoctoral Researcher in Inverse analysis of high temperature mechanical properties of nuclea[...]

University of Oxford; Oxford; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to investigate the mechanical properties of nuclear graphite as part of the ENLIGHT consortium. The role involves conducting in-situ studies, designing experiments, and collaborating on micromechanical testing. Candidates should have a relevant PhD and skills in materials testing and numerical analysis. Applications close on January 16, 2026, and interviews will be held on January 26, 2026. Competitive salary is offered between £39,424 and £47,779 per annum.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and able to plan and deliver a research project.
• Experience in materials testing, image correlation, and inverse analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on in-situ studies of mechanical properties of nuclear graphites.
• Design and execute critical in-situ X-ray and neutron diffraction experiments.
• Collaborate in micromechanical testing and advanced characterisation.

Skills

Materials testing

Numerical analysis

Image correlation

Inverse analysis

Education

PhD in related topics

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Inverse analysis of high temperature mechanical properties of nuclear graphite

Department of Materials, Parks Road, Oxford

This 36-month postdoctoral position is part of the ENLIGHT (Enabling a Lifecycle Approach to Graphite for Advanced Modular Reactors) consortium, a £13.2 million, five‑year programme accelerating innovation in next‑generation nuclear technologies. You will undertake research into in‑situ studies of the effects of temperature on the mechanical properties and deformation behaviour of nuclear graphites and the constituents of its microstructure. You will develop inverse‑analyses of the in‑situ imaging experiments to extract the non‑linear stress/strain relationships. You will design critical in‑situ X‑ray and neutron diffraction experiments to examine strain and damage evolution. You will also collaborate in micromechanical testing and advanced characterisation (SEM/TEM/nano‑XCT) to understand the mechanisms of deformation.

With a background in materials testing and numerical analysis, you will be self‑motivated, able to plan and deliver a research project. You will have a PhD (or be near completion) in related topics and experience in materials testing, image correlation and inverse analysis to extract material properties.

The overall aim of ENLIGHT is to design and produce sustainable graphite materials for AMR deployment and transform irradiated graphite from a waste stream into a valuable resource. ENLIGHT will deliver this aim across the following three intersecting research programmes:

• Sustainable Graphite – develop processes for the decontamination, novel recycling and reuse of irradiated graphite to minimise volumes arising from AMR deployment and provide design guidance on new materials.
• Graphite Selection & Design – design new graphites to resist mechanical and neutron irradiation degradation in AMR conditions.
• Graphite Performance – understand the behaviour of these new graphites in AMR conditions and maximise graphite lifetimes under irradiation, in unfamiliar AMR gaseous and liquid coolants.

This post directly supports the Graphite Selection & Design programme, by developing and performing the novel experimental tests and characterisations to provide data and understanding of non‑irradiated graphites (effects of processing and the environmental history such as oxidation and salt infiltration). This will help to qualify the new Sustainable Graphites and support activities to predict Graphite Performance.

ENLIGHT will maintain the UK as a world leader in nuclear technology vital for AMR fleets that now offer the greatest opportunity for energy independence and deep decarbonisation (process heat and hydrogen) to meet net‑zero targets. Our programme of research, collaboration, and skills development will expand and advance the UK graphite research community, nurturing the next generation of graphite engineers and scientists essential to AMR technology advancement. ENLIGHT will also reduce the volume of graphite legacy waste and support decommissioning of current reactors, by working together with waste custodians, a graphite manufacturer, key industrial and regulatory stakeholders to determine the infrastructure and skills needed to recycle graphite from decommissioned UK reactors.

All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E‑Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on 16 Jan 2026. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.

Interviews will be scheduled to take place at the Department of Materials on 26 Jan 2026, and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person. Please note that, in normal circumstances, only travel expenses within the UK will be reimbursed.

• Vacancy ID: 183914
• Pay Scale: RESEARCH GRADE 7
• Contact Email: [e-mail]
• Salary (£): Grade 7: £39,424 – £47,779 per annum