PhD position at the University of Glasgow

PhD position at the University of Glasgow on “Modelling of geo-engineered barriers for underground nuclear waste storage”

This project will take place at the School of Engineering of the
University of Glasgow in the UK and will be jointly supervised by Dr
Domenico Gallipoli and Dr Peter Grassl. The project will develop the
simulation tools for predicting the long-term behaviour of
geo-engineered barriers used in the geological (underground) storage of
nuclear waste. A typical geological storage scheme for nuclear waste
consists of a cylindrical steel canister (containing the waste) sealed
by an annular buffer of bentonite blocks placed inside a rock tunnel at
significant depth. The geo-engineered barrier formed by the bentonite
blocks is subjected to thermal, hydraulic and mechanical actions which
strongly influence the overall performance of the disposal scheme. A
good understanding of the response of the bentonite barrier is therefore
essential for predicting with confidence the evolution of the storage
scheme over a very large time scale and, hence, to ensure a safe
disposal of nuclear waste.

Interfaces between bentonite blocks significantly influence fluid
transport across the barrier, however the presence of these joints has
not received adequate attention so far and the buffer layer is still
commonly modelled as a uniform continuum. In this project, new numerical
techniques will be developed to model mass transport along and across
interfaces between bentonite blocks. This will include the development
of novel constitutive models to describe mechanical loading, heat
transfer and moisture transport inside the bentonite blocks as well as
along the interfaces. These numerical tools will allow a detailed
analysis of the heterogeneous movement of gas and water in the
discontinuous bentonite buffer. This project will provide the
opportunity to work on cutting edge research in a dynamic environment
and to gain in-depth training in the area of computational mechanics.

The successful candidate will have a very good MSc or undergraduate
degree in Engineering or other relevant subject. He/she should have: a) a
predisposition for analytical thinking, b) a familiarity with
mathematical tools and c) an ability to learn software programming
(prior experience in this respect is an advantage). The ideal candidate
should also be enthusiastic and self-motivated with good organisational
and interpersonal skills. He/she should show initiative, taking
ownership of the research and contributing to the leadership of the
project. The PhD studentship, which covers the full cost of tuition fees
and provide a tax-free stipend of about £13,000 per year for three and a
half years, is available to applicants from the European Union.
Applicants from outside the European Union can also apply but they will
have to prove that they possess the necessary resources to cover the
difference between the EU and overseas rate of tuition fees (about
£10,000 per year).

In order to apply for this PhD position please contact either Dr Domenico Gallipoli (domenico.gallipoli@glasgow.ac.uk) or Dr Peter Grassl (peter.grassl@glasgow.ac.uk) attaching your CV and full transcript of marks at undergraduate/postgraduate level.