Mitigation of Radiation and Hydrogen Damage with Laser Peening through Multiscale Modelling PhD Cranfield University in United Kingdom

Cranfield University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the mitigation of radiation and hydrogen damage in materials using laser peening, explored through advanced multiscale modelling. This research is at the forefront of fusion energy, addressing the critical challenge of developing materials capable of withstanding extreme environments, including high temperatures, intense irradiation, hydrogen exposure, and complex mechanical loads.

The project centers on Shock Laser Peening (SLP), an innovative surface modification technique that enhances material resilience by introducing deep compressive stresses, increasing defect-sink density, and refining microstructure. Early studies suggest SLP can significantly reduce hydrogen and irradiation-induced embrittlement, which are major degradation mechanisms in fusion systems. The PhD research will investigate how SLP-induced microstructural changes affect hydrogen and point-defect mobility, interactions between defects and microstructural features, and the competition between dislocation networks and grain boundaries as defect sinks.

Key research objectives include characterizing SLP-induced microstructures and residual stress states using a crystal plasticity framework, modelling hydrogen and irradiation-induced defect transport, integrating atomistic mobility data into mesoscale models, and developing design guidelines for optimizing SLP processing routes for fusion applications. The project will involve developing and applying a crystal-plasticity-based model to predict residual stress profiles, dislocation density evolution, grain boundary formation, and high-strain-rate responses, with model validation against experimental data and literature datasets.

This PhD is delivered in partnership with Curtiss-Wright, offering industrial collaboration, real-world context, and potential placement opportunities. Students will gain interdisciplinary training in materials modelling, mechanics, characterization techniques, and computational methods, with findings that may directly influence material choices and lifetime predictions for future fusion reactors. The skills developed are highly transferable to nuclear, aerospace, energy, and broader engineering sectors.

The studentship is fully funded for UK 'home' status applicants, covering home tuition fees and a UKRI stipend (£21,383 in 2026-27) for four years. International students are welcome but must cover the difference between international and home fees. Applicants should hold a first or second class UK honours degree or equivalent in materials science, metallurgy, nuclear engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or physics. Experience in computational modelling or materials characterization is advantageous but not required, as full training will be provided. Cranfield University is committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive research environment.

For further information, contact Dr Gustavo Castelluccio at [email protected]. To apply, complete the online application form via the provided link.