Job Description

Accurate analysis of radioactive material is extremely important in the context of nuclear forensics - a vital contributor to law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and anti-terrorism activities relating to trafficked nuclear material. The key performance criteria for a gamma spectrometer for nuclear forensics is its energy resolution - which can make the difference between identifying the source of illegal material or this remaining unknown. This project will capitalise on advances in superconducting devices to design and test the next generation of high-resolution gamma detectors for forensic applications.

This project is industry-funded (subject to contract signing), and you will gain experience working with both academia and industry partners in a highly regulated sector of national importance. Funding for conference travel, lab materials, and a placement at an industry partner (dependent on security clearance) is also available. Please read advert fully for eligibility restrictions.

At present, most gamma ray spectrometry is conducted using semiconductor detectors such as high purity germanium or scintillation detectors such as NaI. However, recent developments have allowed the use of microcalorimeters to measure gamma ray spectra with much better energy resolution than detectors normally used. These microcalorimeters include transition edge sensors and metallic magnetic calorimeters which rely on a change in voltage or magnetization respectively, to measure an incoming photon\'s energy. Readout for both these detectors is made using superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs).

Your research will include a mix of computational - Monte Carlo and finite element analysis - and experimental work to investigate the performance of microcalorimeter-based devices. You will make use of the state-of-the-art nanofabrication and facilities at Loughborough, including sputtering systems to prepare superconducting and magnetic films and an electron beam evaporation system to apply electrical contacts to complex detector arrays, to create your own detectors. You will then gain experience working with electrical characterisation tools, cryogenics, and ionising radiation as you assess the performance of your devices.

This field is still in its infancy, and this project will both advance our understanding of the physics of these detectors and build an evidence-base that may lead to the production and use of such sensors for use in nuclear forensics.

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Funding Details

The studentship is for 4 years and provides a tax-free stipend of \xc2\xa317,688 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK rate. International students (with the nationalities stated in the entry requirements above) are eligible to apply but the difference between UK and International tuition fees cannot be covered by UKRI and must therefore be met by other sources.

In order to qualify for UK fees, you must meet the eligibility criteria including the minimum UK residency requirement. Due to , no more than 30% of the studentships funded by this grant can be awarded to International candidates.

The studentship is subject to contract with the industrial partner and if not signed, the project will be withdrawn.

\xc2\xa317,688 per annum

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