Predicting, Monitoring, and Managing Distributed Detector System Evolution, Fatigue and Performance’

Fully Funded PhD Studentship

Predicting, Monitoring, and Managing Distributed Detector System Evolution, Fatigue and Performance

Project Description:

Like many nations, the UK has installed a number of varying size, geometry, and composition of static (and mobile) radiation monitoring system(s) at key localities in support of nuclear threat reduction and wider national nuclear security – for example radiation portal monitors, or RPM’s. Some of these systems have now been in-place for over a decade – having been subjected to considerable degradation through extremes of weather, electrical and thermal cycling, as well as general mechanical fatigue and ageing; the magnitude and specific contributions have yet to be fully identified or quantified. To calibrate, “tune-out”, and negate against degrading performance over time in detector materials and the associated electronics (e.g. SiPMs, coupling, and PMTs), a common approach is to periodically adjust settings such as the gain, bias, discriminators, energy windows, and spectral background however, this has a detrimental impact on the overall detector performance and resultant in-field capabilities and sensitivities.

Exploiting previous work and expertise with detector scientists at Hamamatsu Photonics examining radiation detection hardware in field-applications, alongside existing systems for hardware validation in extreme environments for Gulf State Governments, this PhD will work with colleagues at AWE-NST to utilise and combine both numerical material models and physical hardware experiments to baseline performance evolution of currently deployed monitoring systems – herein focusing on a subsystem specific to the UK’s unique, and not insignificant, problem space over those of international colleagues.

Application and Funding:

This project is funded by through the NTR-Net Centre for Doctoral Partnership (CDP) for 3.5 years. The studentship provides funding for tuition fees, stipend (standard UKRI rate), research training and support, and the continued opportunity to join in CDP activities. If you are interested in applying for the position, please get in touch with Peter Martin (peter.martin@bristol.ac.uk).

A formal application needs to be submitted through the University of Bristol online application:

http://www.bristol.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/apply/. The closing date for applications is 28 March 2025.

Please choose “Physics PhD” as course, and mention “AWE NTR-Net” as corresponding studentship advert and “Peter Martin” as contact person. Applications should include a Curriculum Vitae, contact information for two potential referees and a short letter outlining the applicant’s scientific interests, suitability and motivation to work on the topic.

Further Information:

Alongside completing the online application form, applicants are required to upload a short CV. The start date for this PhD is September 2025.

We are committed to promoting equality and diversity across our organisation as well as across all areas of our community. As such, we aim to have students from all backgrounds who are passionate about physics and engineering and who share our commitment to work for the good of the environment and the benefit of society. Unfortunately, owing to the topic of this PhD, only UK applicants or those from EU and NATO Member Countries are permitted.

We will actively seek to avoid discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, race (including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin), sex or sexual orientation, being trans or a member of the non-binary community, being married or in a civil partnership, being pregnant or on maternity leave or religion.

The University of Bristol is an Investors in People organisation, with the School of Physics having achieved Bronze status for Athena SWAN, a scheme that recognises an organisation’s commitment and progress in developing a diverse and inclusive workforce.