{"id":7834,"date":"2026-08-12T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/?p=7834"},"modified":"2026-08-19T17:16:43","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T16:16:43","slug":"rainz-cdt-phd-student-experience-jordan-ellis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/2026\/08\/12\/rainz-cdt-phd-student-experience-jordan-ellis\/","title":{"rendered":"RAINZ CDT Year One: Jordan Ellis on Robotics, Transferring Fields and His Passion for Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-b774bb0d wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\">Alexander Dunham<\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px;width:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-2aa4ec05\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> \u00b7 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px;width:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-2aa4ec05\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-08-12T13:00:00+01:00\">12 August 2026<\/time><\/div>\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px;width:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-2aa4ec05\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> \u00b7 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px;width:6px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-2aa4ec05\"><\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-time-to-read\">5\u20137 minutes<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan Ellis, a postgraduate researcher at the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Robotics and AI for Net Zero (RAINZ)<\/a>&nbsp;Centre for Doctoral Training, shares his experiences from the first year of the programme \u2013 and reveals why research into robotics for the nuclear industry is his passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a88b784d998d&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a88b784d998d\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-shadow-light wp-lightbox-container\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1439\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Headshot of PhD researcher Jordan Ellis\" class=\"wp-image-7836\" style=\"box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--light)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Jordan-Ellis-Headshot-edited-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transferring fields from physics to robotics&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan comes from a background in Physics, having studied his bachelor\u2019s degree at Queen Mary University, London. He initially&nbsp;didn\u2019t&nbsp;consider doing a PhD, but after a summer internship with Nuclear Security Science Network (NuSec), Jordan became inspired to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/degrees-and-projects\/research-expertise\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">discover his research expertise<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSince the summer internship, I have loved postgraduate research more than the actual taught content \u2013 or anything else,\u201d Jordan explains. Wanting to research as much as possible, he joined a neutron detector group, where he met PhD students and gained early insight into their work.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan also took various modules in robotics throughout his undergraduate and master&#8217;s degree years, including advanced robotics and cognitive robotics, before ultimately deciding to apply for a PhD \u2013 where Jordan discovered RAINZ, a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/degrees-and-projects\/centres-for-doctoral-training\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT)<\/a> and a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/degrees-and-projects\/types-of-degree\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">type of research degree<\/a> that was advertising to students from multiple disciplines, not just computer science, to complete a PhD in Robotics and AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI wanted to do something that combined my background in physics, nuclear and robotics \u2013 and a little bit of AI or machine learning \u2013 to bring together all the things I love into a PhD.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, Jordan&#8217;s early beginnings in Physics had a positive effect on his&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/getting-started\/eligibility\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eligibility<\/a>&nbsp;for the RAINZ CDT,&nbsp;giving&nbsp;him crucial background knowledge with plenty of crossover skills.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building robotics and AI skills through MSc-level training<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan completed two semesters of taught modules from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/masters\/courses\/list\/21574\/msc-artificial-intelligence\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MSc in Artificial Intelligence<\/a>&nbsp;programme at The University of Manchester during the first year of the RAINZ programme. Although he found it difficult at first, he learnt a lot and gained the formal training in robotics and AI needed before beginning the research element of his PhD.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAlthough some parts were difficult, the learning was&nbsp;a good experience. You could always talk to academics and explain, \u2018Hey, I&#8217;m coming from a different background; could you explain this at the lowest level, then go up to the highest level so that I can understand it?&#8217;\u201d,&nbsp;Jordan says.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite knowing it would mean&nbsp;a big change&nbsp;transferring fields, Jordan embraced the challenge and was eager to learn something new. Thankfully, the courses in knowledge representation he completed as part of his&nbsp;master\u2019s training&nbsp;has&nbsp;given him the essential training needed for his PhD: \u201cI feel like without those courses, I wouldn&#8217;t have been able to make this transition.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Support from supervisors,&nbsp;mentors&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;cohort&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan credits the academics, his&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/supervisors\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">supervisors<\/a>, coordinators and fellow researchers for all being incredibly supportive during his first year. \u201cThere&#8217;s a lot of support here, you feel really comfortable.\u201d Training in a cohort with other researchers, many of whom are AI and computer science graduates, has been invaluable \u2013 allowing Jordan to lean on his fellow researchers for help when needed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Weekly meetings with his cohort, as well as regular contact with a mentor, PhD supervisors and academics, mean Jordan always has people to ask for help, or to ask questions and learn from.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan has also already made connections with his PhD research group, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cs.manchester.ac.uk\/research\/expertise\/autonomy-and-verification\/\">Autonomy and Verification Group <\/a>(A&amp;V), ahead of starting his research next year \u2013 from which he has already noted considerable support: \u201c[Through A&amp;V] I can pull from different aspects of each PhD student and ask them for help and support\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure data-wp-context=\"{&quot;imageId&quot;:&quot;6a88b784da211&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/image\" data-wp-key=\"6a88b784da211\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large has-custom-border is-style-shadow-light wp-lightbox-container\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1440\" data-wp-class--hide=\"state.isContentHidden\" data-wp-class--show=\"state.isContentVisible\" data-wp-init=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\" data-wp-on--load=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" data-wp-on--pointerdown=\"actions.preloadImage\" data-wp-on--pointerenter=\"actions.preloadImageWithDelay\" data-wp-on--pointerleave=\"actions.cancelPreload\" data-wp-on-window--resize=\"callbacks.setButtonStyles\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-scaled.jpeg\" alt=\"Group of RAINZ CDT PhD researchers collaborating at Manchester University\" class=\"wp-image-7838\" style=\"border-style:none;border-width:0px;border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;box-shadow:var(--wp--preset--shadow--light)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-scaled.jpeg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/RAINZ-PhD-Researchers-Collaborating-edited-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Researching robotics for nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan is excited to start his research in robotics at a nuclear decommissioning site: \u201cEssentially, I\u2019m defining what a team of robots can and can\u2019t do, developing mission and interaction protocols, and verifying those rules using formal methods\u2019\u201d,&nbsp;he explains.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jordan\u2019s PhD is sponsored by Sellafield, a large nuclear facility in Cumbria. He explains that this PhD is going to give him real insight into industry, allowing him insider access to real data and research.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSellafield is a Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) &#8211; it\u2019s a black box to the general public, giving me the opportunity to see what\u2019s behind the veil in terms of research and what they&#8217;re working on.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-pullquote has-base-color has-accent-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);margin-right:0;margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--x-small);margin-left:0\"><blockquote><p><em>&#8220;I was supposed to have August off, but I love the research too much. For me, not having anything else to do but research <strong>is <\/strong>a massive break!&#8221;&nbsp;<\/em><br><\/p><cite><em>Jordan Ellis, RAINZ CDT postgraduate researcher<\/em><\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Originally planning to have a break in August, Jordan has instead been inspired to take another research sprint thanks to his positive experience with RAINZ \u2013 embracing&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/getting-started\/life-as-a-researcher\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">life as a researcher<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI was supposed to have August off, but I love the research too much. For me, not having anything else to do but research&nbsp;<em>is<\/em>&nbsp;a massive break! I&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;have to focus on anything else; I&nbsp;don&#8217;t&nbsp;have to worry about meetings \u2013&nbsp;it\u2019s&nbsp;just me, my supervisor, the&nbsp;office&nbsp;and the air conditioning.&nbsp;It\u2019s&nbsp;going to be an amazing focus.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During this research sprint, Jordan will continue&nbsp;working with other PhD students for a week on a project \u2013 then&nbsp;he\u2019ll&nbsp;meet his industry supervisor ahead of starting the research component of his PhD in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Building a UK-wide RAINZ network<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Training within a cohort has not only provided Jordan with new skills and knowledge, but also a network of fellow researchers and a sense of community.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now at the end of the first year, the RAINZ researchers will be spread across three institutions: The University of Manchester, The University of Oxford and The University of Glasgow, but Jordan knows they will keep in touch and continue to support each other throughout their postgraduate research.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe&#8217;ve all built&nbsp;a pretty good&nbsp;relationship.&nbsp;We&#8217;ve&nbsp;already been talking about how often&nbsp;we&#8217;re&nbsp;going to have online meetings with each other to discuss our research \u2013 or just&nbsp;maintain&nbsp;that line of contact and keep the network&nbsp;really strong.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNot only this year, but next year and throughout the rest of our PhDs, we will have the level of communication where we can just ask each other for support. They will meet people,&nbsp;I&#8217;ll&nbsp;meet people, and&nbsp;we\u2019ll&nbsp;build a network.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Becoming mentors for the second cohort about to start in September, Jordan\u2019s network within RAINZ will continue to grow.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-shadow-light\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"RAINZ CDT researchers networking at a University of Manchester event\" class=\"wp-image-7955\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/RANIZ-conference-photo-2-1-edited-2048x1151.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Advice for prospective PhD students&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cDon&#8217;t be scared to just throw yourself in the deep end,\u201d says Jordan when asked for his advice to potential PhD researchers. \u201cThere&#8217;s so much that you can talk to people about and learn from; it\u2019s just about going with the flow and getting the ball rolling \u2013 and even if you feel like it\u2019s not going fast, you\u2019ll build up momentum if you keep trying.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PhD opportunities in robotics and AI&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/degrees-and-projects\/projects\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Find a research project<\/a>, explore PhD opportunities through the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">RAINZ CDT<\/a>,&nbsp;and find out how robotics and AI research could shape your next step.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-c7ebd8d6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sites.se.manchester.ac.uk\/science-engineering\/category\/student-stories\/\">Read more RAINZ postgraduate research stories<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--2\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-base-color has-base-2-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.se.manchester.ac.uk\/study\/postgraduate-research\/degrees-and-projects\/centres-for-doctoral-training\/\" style=\"box-shadow:none\">Explore CDTs with The University of Manchester<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-social-links is-layout-flex wp-block-social-links-is-layout-flex\"><li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-instagram wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/uomscieng?igsh=djNrbmllczMxZGo3\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path d=\"M12,4.622c2.403,0,2.688,0.009,3.637,0.052c0.877,0.04,1.354,0.187,1.671,0.31c0.42,0.163,0.72,0.358,1.035,0.673 c0.315,0.315,0.51,0.615,0.673,1.035c0.123,0.317,0.27,0.794,0.31,1.671c0.043,0.949,0.052,1.234,0.052,3.637 s-0.009,2.688-0.052,3.637c-0.04,0.877-0.187,1.354-0.31,1.671c-0.163,0.42-0.358,0.72-0.673,1.035 c-0.315,0.315-0.615,0.51-1.035,0.673c-0.317,0.123-0.794,0.27-1.671,0.31c-0.949,0.043-1.233,0.052-3.637,0.052 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C20.99,14.751,21,14.444,21,12s-0.01-2.751-0.054-3.711c-0.044-0.958-0.196-1.612-0.418-2.185c-0.23-0.592-0.538-1.094-1.038-1.594 c-0.5-0.5-1.002-0.808-1.594-1.038c-0.572-0.222-1.227-0.375-2.185-0.418C14.751,3.01,14.444,3,12,3L12,3z M12,7.378 c-2.552,0-4.622,2.069-4.622,4.622S9.448,16.622,12,16.622s4.622-2.069,4.622-4.622S14.552,7.378,12,7.378z M12,15 c-1.657,0-3-1.343-3-3s1.343-3,3-3s3,1.343,3,3S13.657,15,12,15z M16.804,6.116c-0.596,0-1.08,0.484-1.08,1.08 s0.484,1.08,1.08,1.08c0.596,0,1.08-0.484,1.08-1.08S17.401,6.116,16.804,6.116z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">Instagram<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n<li class=\"wp-social-link wp-social-link-youtube wp-block-social-link\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@UoMSciEng\" class=\"wp-block-social-link-anchor\"><svg width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\"><path 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d=\"M19.7,3H4.3C3.582,3,3,3.582,3,4.3v15.4C3,20.418,3.582,21,4.3,21h15.4c0.718,0,1.3-0.582,1.3-1.3V4.3 C21,3.582,20.418,3,19.7,3z M8.339,18.338H5.667v-8.59h2.672V18.338z M7.004,8.574c-0.857,0-1.549-0.694-1.549-1.548 c0-0.855,0.691-1.548,1.549-1.548c0.854,0,1.547,0.694,1.547,1.548C8.551,7.881,7.858,8.574,7.004,8.574z M18.339,18.338h-2.669 v-4.177c0-0.996-0.017-2.278-1.387-2.278c-1.389,0-1.601,1.086-1.601,2.206v4.249h-2.667v-8.59h2.559v1.174h0.037 c0.356-0.675,1.227-1.387,2.526-1.387c2.703,0,3.203,1.779,3.203,4.092V18.338z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"wp-block-social-link-label screen-reader-text\">LinkedIn<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-c7ebd8d6 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-left is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-77d01fa2 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Last reviewed:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date__modified-date wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-08-19T17:16:43+01:00\">19 August 2026<\/time><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Now in his first year at the RAINZ Centre for Doctoral Training, Jordan Ellis is developing AI and robotics skills to conduct research into nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield, one of the UK&#8217;s most secure sites. Read his story on transferring fields, MSc-level training, and why he&#8217;d rather be in the lab than on a break.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":116,"featured_media":7927,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[895,365],"tags":[916,918,919,915,917],"class_list":["post-7834","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-postgraduate-research","category-student-stories","tag-ai","tag-cdt","tag-phd","tag-rainz-cdt","tag-robotics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>RAINZ CDT Year One: Jordan Ellis on Robotics Nuclear Research<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"RAINZ PhD researcher Jordan Ellis discusses his research journey \u2013 from AI and robotics to nuclear decommissioning at Sellafield. 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