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We interviewed Alistair in 2016 following his graduation from the AMS CDT Programme. 

My PhD thesis focused on the 'Corrosion Performance of Zirconium Alloys for Nuclear Applications' and was submitted in September 2014.

During the last year or so of the project, I had written a number of papers as part of the alternative style thesis (where a selection of papers are submitted along with other compulsory chapters as an alternative to the standard thesis format). It became clear to me that I really enjoyed writing and so when I was offered a Postdoctoral position within the Zirconium Group at The University of Manchester, I jumped at the opportunity.

I am now almost two years into my three year postdoctoral contract and am very glad that I took the opportunity. It has enabled me to expand upon the skill set I acquired during my time within the Advanced Metallic Systems CDT and I now feel I am equipped to hopefully continue with an academic career.

Although permanent academic positions are very competitive, the links I made with both industry and academia during my involvement with the AMS CDT have definitely given me an advantage. 

I now spend a lot of time at experiments at large-scale facilities such as and and enjoy travelling to international conferences.

I have also started teaching the Nuclear Technology Energy Consortium Master’s course on zirconium alloys, which was the course that led me to join the AMS CDT in the first place. It is very satisfying to see how far I have come since joining the CDT and I could not recommend it more!"

Dr Alistair Garner

AMS CDT | 2010 Cohort