Research Studentship in Graphite Composite Materials for High-Power Neutrino Targets

3.5-year DPhil studentship 

Project title: Fatigue Failure of Target Graphite

Supervisors: Prof Dong (Lilly) Liu (Oxford), Dr Kavin Ammigan (Fermilab)

The Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford invites applications for a fully funded D.Phil. project investigating fatigue failure and degradation mechanisms in graphite materials used as proton-beam targets for next-generation neutrino facilities. The project is supported by Oxford and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (Fermilab) and is closely linked to international neutrino programmes including DUNE. The research will develop new fatigue-testing methodologies for target graphite, investigate crack initiation and propagation under cyclic loading, and characterise the relationships between microstructure, thermal properties, irradiation damage and mechanical performance. Experimental work will involve advanced characterisation techniques including X-ray tomography, FIB-SEM tomography, Raman spectroscopy, thermal conductivity measurements, high-temperature mechanical testing, ion irradiation, and synchrotron experiments at Diamond Light Source. This project will work closely with Dr. Chris Densham's group at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) to support targets design.

Eligibility

This studentship is funded jointly by the Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and is open to all students. The award covers Home tuition fees and a full stipend.

Award Value

Course fees are covered at the Home rate. The stipend (tax-free maintenance grant) is c. £21,805 for the first year , and at least this amount for a further two and a half years.

Candidate Requirements

Prospective candidates will be judged according to how well they meet the following criteria:

• A first-class or strong upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering or a closely related discipline.

• Strong interest in materials behaviour under extreme environments and experimental research.

• Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.

• Ability to work effectively within an international multidisciplinary collaboration.

The following skills are desirable but not essential:

• Experience in mechanical testing, fracture mechanics or fatigue analysis.

• Experience with materials characterisation techniques.

• Data analysis and scientific programming (e.g. Python, MATLAB). 

• Interest in particle accelerator, nuclear or energy applications.

Application Procedure

Informal enquiries are encouraged and should be addressed to Prof Dong (Lilly) Liu (dong.liu@eng.ox.ac.uk).

Candidates must submit a graduate application and satisfy the University of Oxford admission requirements for the DPhil in Engineering Science.

Please quote 27ENGMM_DL in all correspondence and in your graduate application.

Application deadline: Noon on 2 December 2026 (subject to University admissions deadlines).

Start date: October 2027