University leads programme to train next generation of nuclear scientists

University leads programme to train next generation of nuclear scientists

Posted on 13 March 2026

The University of York will lead a major £8m initiative to train at least 80 industry-ready nuclear scientists, serving as a key part of a national drive to quadruple the number of nuclear specialists in the UK.

The Physics-led Applications for Nuclear Technology Programme (PLANET) - a Doctoral Focal Award delivered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and match-funded by industry - will equip students and researchers to work in fields vital to national security, clean energy and healthcare.

As the UK accelerates its ambitions in nuclear fission, fusion energy and modern defence, the demand for highly-skilled nuclear physicists has reached a tipping point. With many current experts set to retire over the next decade, the York-led centre is part of a £65.6M government investment in seven new programmes across the country, which will train a total of 500 highly-skilled workers by 2034.

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the partnership consists of three Nuclear Physics research groups at the Universities of York, Surrey and Edinburgh and two Nuclear Engineering groups at the Universities of Cambridge and Lancaster. The partnership is designed to close the historical gap between fundamental science and real-world energy solutions.

Prosperity and growth

Director of the PLANET Centre for Doctoral Training, Professor David Jenkins, from the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology at the University of York, said: "Nuclear technology is central to the UK's prosperity and growth. From developing medical isotopes for cancer treatment to ensuring the safety of our nuclear deterrent and advancing our clean energy goals.

"We need a new generation of experts who understand nuclear science from the initial research all the way to real-world use. This project is here to build that workforce."

By partnering with UK national laboratories and private industry, the centre will ensure that every PhD project is co-created with real-world applications in mind. Through access to world-leading infrastructure - including the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the nToF and ISOLDE facilities at CERN - students will develop the skills and hands-on training needed to build and monitor nuclear systems.

Wider perspective

A central mission of the training centre is to diversify the nuclear sector, with targeted interventions to increase the representation of women and people of colour in a field where these groups have historically been underrepresented. By drawing from a broad pool of physics graduates, rather than just traditional engineering backgrounds, the centre aims to spark innovation by introducing a wider range of perspectives to the field.

The centre will also offer retraining and upskilling opportunities to existing members of the nuclear workforce at a range of career stages.

The research conducted through the programme will tackle high-priority national challenges, including:

• National Security: Supporting the highly-specialised expertise needed to operate and renew our nuclear deterrent.
• Clean Energy: Addressing technical gaps in fuel performance and safety for next-generation reactors.
• Waste Management: Developing new ways to monitor the environment and manage nuclear storage and disposal.
• Future Tech: Integrating AI and data science into nuclear modelling to future-proof UK industry.

Economic future

Professor Charlotte Deane, Executive Chair at UKRI's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said: "The UK's nuclear sector is central to our national security, clean energy ambitions and economic future. Meeting those challenges demands a new generation of researchers and innovators with the technical expertise to make a real difference.

"UKRI doctoral focal awards are a proven way to develop that talent. They bring together academic excellence, industry partnerships and cohort-based learning to give doctoral students the skills and experience to make an immediate impact in the nuclear workforce.

"These new nuclear focal awards, developed in partnership with government, will continue building the research base that the UK's national security and clean energy future depends on."

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