Materials Scientist (Research Experiments)

About the job

Company Description

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.

Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.

UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

Salary: £38,620.

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

- Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
- Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
- Flexible working options including family friendly policies.
- Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
- Wide range of career development opportunities.
- A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

Job Description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Materials Scientist (Research Experiments), you will work within the Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology (H3AT) department who are responsible for delivering tritium capabilities in support of:

- JET tokamak and fusion fuel cycle research in support of both the JET, ITER & DEMO programmes
- Tritium technology R&D
- Commercial activities involving tritium and other active gasses

This role will support H3AT delivery of commercial activities, tritium technology R&D and fuel cycle research. The primary focus of the role will be to help develop concepts of tritium systems for fulfil a wide variety of project requirements. The role will then involve taking projects form the initial concept stage, through design and manufacture to a fully engineered solution, taking a leading role in some stages of project development.

Additional Responsibilities

- We are looking for a materials scientist with research experience.
- Support with permeation experiments and experimental rig commissioning.
- Planning a test programme, responsible for the day to day running of experimental facilities and results analysis.
- Presenting results at conferences, contributing to journal papers and reports.
- Utilising experience with materials science and/or engineering.

Activities may be undertaken in conjunction with other departments within the UKAEA, UKAEA collaborators or institutions abroad, and require a high degree of teamwork. A willingness to undertake international travel is required.

All practical work is to be undertaken in a controlled manner using risk assessments and development of controlled work packs and operating instructions. The appointee must also be environmentally aware.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

- Materials scientist with research experience, PhD level or equivalent experience gained in academia or industry.
- Experience with planning a test programme, data analysis.
- Ability to pick things up quickly in new topics.
- Practical skills with building and testing new experimental facilities.

Desirable

- Experience with design of experiments statistical analysis.
- Experience with materials microstructural characterisation techniques.
- Experience with gaseous reactors and/or vacuum systems.
- Knowledge of coatings.

Additional Information

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the UK Government website for information on criminal records checks. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.