Sunday 25 May 2014

National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) Research Fellow Dr Nick Smith has been awarded a prestigious four-year Industry Fellowship by the Royal Society. Fellowships are awarded to scientists for work on a collaborative project with an academic organisation. Nick’s Fellowship is hosted by The University of Manchester and will fund 50% of his research time.

Nick’s primary focus is fundamental and applied research into remote 2D and 3D, laser-based characterisation techniques in the nuclear industry. This research has already seen close collaboration between NNL and The University of Manchester’s School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and the Laser Processing Group. Future research will also involve work at NNL’s Workington Laboratory and the Dalton Cumbrian Facility (DCF). The research has significant potential in helping to solve key characterisation challenges faced by the nuclear industry.

A Chartered Geologist and Fellow of the Geological Society, Nick is NNL’s lead geologist and 3D geoscientific and remote sensing/characterisation expert. He holds visiting research/teaching roles at three UK universities and holds membership of the European Federation of Geologists and the European Geosciences Union.

Nick commented:

“I consider the award of this fellowship a huge honour both personally and for the National Nuclear Laboratory. It will further raise the profile of NNL’s research collaborations and I very much look forward to working with The University of Manchester and the Royal Society over the next four years.”

Prof Paul Howarth (NNL Managing Director) commented:

“Nick provides an excellent example of why NNL is one of the leading organisations in the nuclear industry. His knowledge and expertise in his specialist area provide our customers with the highest quality solutions to their challenges. Nick deserves all our congratulations for this excellent achievement.”

Prof Andrew Sherry (Director of The University of Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute) commented:

“We warmly congratulate Nick on this achievement and are looking forward to working together on this exciting project.  This provides an outstanding opportunity to show the benefits of how industry and academia can work effectively together to drive innovation within the nuclear sector.”