Latest News from NSG

As a business, we continue to strengthen our commitment to academic collaboration and research-led innovation with the announcement of our second industry-supported PhD project, delivered in partnership with The University of Manchester through the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT).

This new project builds on our first PhD collaboration, which commenced in October 2025 and will run until 2028. That studentship is at Lancaster University, with our Consultant Dr Joshua Moore acting as the industrial supervisor.

PhD Project 1: Advancing Neutron Activation Analysis for Ancient Artefacts

Our Lancaster-based PhD focuses on the analytical technique of neutron activation analysis, with particular emphasis on the assessment of ancient artefacts; predominantly gold objects, and particularly coins. The project seeks to extend the established gold-based neutron activation method that exploits the activation of gold-197 and the subsequent decay of its progeny, mercury-198.

By refining this approach, the research aims to enable highly sensitive assessments of gold purity. These measurements have the potential to improve our understanding of artefact provenance, including insights into the location and characteristics of ancient mints.

Beyond archaeological applications and in the context of NSG, this work has wider relevance for more generic analytical challenges, including radiometric assessments in environmental monitoring, radioactive waste characterisation, and nuclear security applications.

New PhD Project 2: SATURN CDT PhD with The University of Manchester

Building on this foundation, we have now partnered with The University of Manchester to launch a second PhD project through the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Skills and Training Underpinning a Renaissance in Nuclear (SATURN), or the SATURN CDT. The collaboration supports a fully approved, co-funded studentship investigating the fate of radionuclides during the geological disposal of radioactive waste in Lower-Strength Sedimentary Rocks (LSSRs). The PhD advert is now live, with early enquiries already being received from prospective candidates.

Our Senior Consultant, and PhD Industry Supervisor, Dr Ellen Winstanley explained the scope of the research:

“For this project, we’ll be supporting the student to bring together practical laboratory experiments and computational modelling to really understand how radionuclides behave in LSSRs — how they move, how they interact with materials, and ultimately where they end up. The experimental work will focus on radionuclide partitioning and transport, using the specialist capabilities available through the NNUF RADER facility (National Nuclear User Facility for Radioactive Waste Management and Environmental Remediation).

This gives us access to cutting-edge radiological techniques and advanced electron and X-ray microscopy, as well as national facilities such as the Diamond Light Source. Alongside the laboratory work, the PhD student will develop geochemical models that can help us predict radionuclide speciation and understand the processes that control transport in LSSRs. Through this project, we can support development of fundamental science that is directly linked to the practical challenges faced by industry in managing legacy nuclear materials.”

This PhD is delivered through the SATURN Centre for Doctoral Training, a consortium of North West universities including Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Lancaster, Sheffield and Strathclyde. The programme recruits students from across STEM disciplines and provides them with the skills and training needed to become subject matter experts within the nuclear sector, whether in industry or academia.

Investing in the Next Generation of Nuclear Scientists

Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr Rob Thied, our Head of Consultancy & Innovation at NSG Environmental, said:

“These collaborations reflect our commitment to investing in the next generation of nuclear environmental scientists. The geological disposal of radioactive waste is a national priority, and the use and development of radiometric techniques are essential to the nuclear industry — from monitoring through to characterisation. Supporting high-quality PhD research is essential to ensuring the UK has the scientific capability required for long-term environmental safety.”

He added:

“We’re delighted to see early interest from students, and we look forward to working closely with The University of Manchester to help shape research that directly supports industry needs. This is an exciting milestone for us, and we’re proud to be contributing funding to a project that will help advance understanding in such a critical field.”