Atomic Veterans: Unearthing the Scars of the Nuclear Age (International Strategic Partnership) The University of Manchester in United Kingdom

This PhD project, 'Atomic Veterans: Unearthing the Scars of the Nuclear Age,' investigates the impacts of nuclear testing on individuals involved in testing operations, with a particular focus on the short- and long-term health consequences experienced by U.S. atomic veterans. The research will employ oral history and archival research methods to uncover how toxic exposures have been rendered invisible by administrative processes, and to illuminate the lived experiences of those affected.

The student will engage with a wide range of archival materials, including documents from the Atomic Energy Commission at the US National Archives and Records Administration, as well as personal collections and oral histories from the National Association of Atomic Veterans and the Atomic Heritage Foundation. Methodologically, the project combines comparative approaches to assess whether health risks have been downplayed and to situate U.S. atomic veterans within broader international contexts. Training will be provided at the Centre for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine (CHSTM) at The University of Manchester, under the supervision of Dr Simone Turchetti, with additional research stays at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden, working with Professor Per Högselius and colleagues. These stays will offer hands-on experience with Cold War nuclear archives, technical reports, and policy documents, and will develop skills in interpreting dosimetry records and exposure assessments.

The project is fully funded for four years, covering tuition and a stipend at the UKRI rate, though candidates must cover their own relocation and associated costs. Applicants should hold a First or Upper Second class UK honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject.

The application process requires contacting the primary supervisor, submitting a complete application with all supporting documents, and following the University of Manchester's procedures for the International Partnerships PhD programme. The university is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, and further details are available on their website.