Doctoral training to develop the next generation of fusion energy experts

Published on 25 February 2025

PhD opportunities are available at a new doctoral training centre to develop the next generation of fusion energy experts.

The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Fusion Engineering will start educating its first cohort of students in September 2025, equipping STEM post-graduates with the skills to support the UK’s fusion energy future.

The University of Liverpool is one of the universities alongside Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham that are involved in the new CDT programme, which is in partnership with the Fusion Futures’ FOSTER programme (Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Teaching Education and Research) at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA).

It will enable over 150 post-graduates to tackle the critical challenges of fusion energy.

Fusion energy is benefitting from significant investment from both successive Governments and private capital sources which has accelerated cutting-edge research and development, technical and engineering innovations, and knowledge advancements that have bolstered the UK’s reputation as the world leader in the sector.

With a focus on advanced problem-solving, the CDT’s specialist training programme will balance theoretical, practical, and computational training in academic and industrial settings, spanning the entire fusion engineering lifecycle.

Students will also gain advanced skills in data-driven modelling and simulation, developing fusion engineering experts (aka ‘fusioneers’) who will lead the design, building, safe operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of fusion power plants.

Training will be led by some of the most respected fusion energy experts from UK academia and industry. Each of the lead university partners has a professorial chair in fusion energy, sponsored by either UKAEA or the private fusion energy company, Tokamak Energy. Training will be enhanced with extensive industry input, with expertise provided from the aerospace, space, automotive, civil, nuclear fission, manufacturing, AI, robotics, and exascale computing sectors.

Doctoral students will work on real-world fusion engineering challenges, collaborating with industrial partners, to earn a Doctor of Engineering (EngD) qualification over the four-year programme. This is the highest degree in engineering, and renowned for its industry focus and impact. The programme will support CDT graduates to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status within a few years.

To ensure accessibility for graduates from across STEM disciplines, all students will begin the programme with three months of foundational fusion engineering training. Delivered in a hybrid format through academic and industry partnerships, this training accommodates both university-based and industry-based students. Throughout the programme, students will receive specialized, project-specific training to deepen their expertise in their research areas. This approach not only strengthens technical skills but also fosters career networks within the fusion engineering industry, supporting graduates in their professional development.

The Fusion Engineering CDT will leverage a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model to widen access. An Associate Membership scheme allows any UK university to apply to access the FOSTER studentships and support research and training. UK-based academics who wish to participate in the Associate Membership scheme can express interest via the Fusion Engineering CDT Hub email at fusion-engineering@sheffield.ac.uk.

Karl Whittle, Professor of Zero Carbon and Nuclear Energy at the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool Director, said: “The next generation of fusion engineers will be critical in delivering commercial power and overcome the challenges faced. The CDT will apply the expertise at Liverpool across fusion and engineering, to help develop this next generation of fusioneers, providing skills and training that will enable them to take a world leading role in the design, build and operation of power reactors, helping the UK to continue its leadership in fusion energy.”

Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER Programme Director at UKAEA, commented: “I am delighted that after a very competitive bidding process, we have been able to select an academic team to embark on this exciting collaboration, which will supercharge the development of specialist engineering skills for the fusion sector. The programme combines international research excellence with deep fusion engineering expertise, and we look forward to working together in the coming years to build a world-leading platform for fusion engineering training.

“A particular highlight of this collaboration is the Fusion Engineering CDT Associate Membership scheme which will provide PhD support to a wider landscape of universities who share our commitment to invest in the future of fusion energy.”

The Fusion Engineering CDT will start recruiting immediately for their first cohort to join at the beginning of the 25-26 academic year.