The RCRD is dedicated to research and training into the safe containment and disposal of radioactive wastes, the decommissioning of contaminated nuclear plant and the containment and remediation of radionuclides in the environment.

The RCRD provides a focal point for back-end nuclear activity at the University of Manchester, bringing together the research initiatives into Geological Disposal (Radwaste) supported by a BNFL endowment and Nuclear Engineering Decommissioning, supported by the NDA and EPSRC. Radionuclide contamination and behaviour, radiation damage, radionuclide behaviour in man-made and natural environments, and materials performance are all areas of investigation common to both research and training challenges.