Professor Malcolm Joyce

Distinguished Professor & Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award Holder

Research Interests

Malcolm is Distinguished Professor of Nuclear Engineering at Lancaster. He is recognised internationally for his contributions to nuclear science and engineering, and particularly for research focused on the development of advanced, radiation-based measurement techniques for the characterisation of nuclear materials. His investigations contribute to improving the safety, efficiency, affordability and sustainability of nuclear systems. Of late, he has focused on methods to assess water content in spent nuclear fuel and isotopic forensic signatures of reactor materials in fallout.

Professor Joyce has led numerous research projects funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and other major UK and international bodies, of the order of £40M in total. His research integrates experimental science with innovation in analytical and computational methods for the assay of radioactive substances. In particular, he was responsible for securing the support for Lancaster's Accelerator Mass Spectrometer as part of the £100M UK National Nuclear User Facility investment for the assay of radioactive materials.

Leadership experience

  • Interim Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise), 2024-2026, leading on REF2029 preparations, research infrastructure investment, research integrity, research ethics and trusted research etc.
  • Associate Dean for Research, 2019-2024, supporting the preparation and optimisation of Lancaster's REF2021 submission and leading on Lancaster's cross-faculty research institutes.
  • Head of Engineering, 2008-2015, leading on the most significant expansion of the department since the university's inception in 1964.

Impact

Malcolm's research has contributed to national policy and professional dialogues on nuclear energy and scientific innovation. This is evidenced by the influence it has exerted on nuclear materials measurement policy at the International Atomic Energy Agency and on decommissioning strategy at Sellafield in the UK concerning the Pile Fuel Storage Pond. He is an appointed member to the UK Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM), the UKAEA Programme Assessment Committee and is Co-Chair of the UK National Nuclear User Facility. He has supervised more than 30 PhD students to successful completion.

Recognition and Awards

  • Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award, recognising outstanding contributions to nuclear science, 2016-2021.
  • Institution of Civil Engineers, Watt medal, 2014.
  • Oliver Lodge Prize, 1990, University of Liverpool.
  • Author on > 350 peer-reviewed articles.
  • Author of the text 'Nuclear Engineering' (Butterworth-Heinemann), now in its 2nd edition.

Malcolm welcomes proposals for PhD study in the areas of radiation detection and measurement, and isotopic monitoring techniques relating to the assessment of nuclear materials. Part funding is available for UK candidates via the PLANET doctoral focal award, https://planet-dfa.ac.uk/

Agenda: UK - Japan Meeting and Workshop 2023/24
Participation in workshop, seminar, course

Patrick Collins-Price

Patrick Collins-Price

Experimental Officer, PhD student, Associate Lecturer

A071b, A - Floor, Science and Technology
  • AIRS-NFM
  • Doctorate Centre in Nuclear Engineering
  • Energy Lancaster
  • Energy Lancaster Nuclear
  • Nuclear
  • Space Weather