Experimental Physicist

Entrepreneur First; Vale of White Horse; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A cutting-edge propulsion technology company in the UK is seeking an Experimental Physicist to investigate thrust generation processes and work on advanced experiments to enhance their thruster efficiency. The ideal candidate holds a PhD in Plasma Physics or similar with practical experience in an industrial setting. This role offers a competitive salary and benefits, including flexible hours and private medical insurance. The position primarily operates out of Harwell Innovation Campus, with opportunities for remote work.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical insurance

Flexible working hours

Financial support for home office setup

Qualifications

• PhD or relevant degree with industry experience.
• Enquiring problem-solving mindset for experimental work.
• Experience in planning and analysing experiments.

Responsibilities

• Investigate performance of Magdrive thrusters.
• Test refuelling processes with recycled propellant.
• Collaborate with teams for experimental planning and results analysis.
• Maintain organized lab environment and safety practices.

Skills

Problem-solving mindset

Experimental physics knowledge

Analytical skills

Education

PhD in Plasma Physics or Electric Propulsion

Degree in Physics or Engineering with 4 years experience

Tools

Python for data analysis

FEM simulation software (e.g. COMSOL)

Vacuum systems knowledge

Job description

About Magdrive

Magdrive is developing the next generation of spacecraft propulsion. Our cutting‑edge thruster technology promises to deliver unmatched thrust and efficiency, enabling accessibility to new orbits and entirely new industries such as satellite servicing, orbital assembly, and interplanetary transport. We are also starting to develop recycling & refuelling approaches for future spacecraft propulsion.

As an Experimental Physicist at Magdrive, you will be investigating the physical processes of thrust generation and propellant refuelling in the Magdrive thruster. You’ll design and run your own experiments to study these processes in the new DEEP facility at Magdrive and work closely with the rest of the experimental team carrying out other research. In addition you’ll collaborate with colleagues running FEM simulations to iterate designs of thruster components. This is a hands‑on role, planning and delivering experiments to help push our propulsion technology to higher performance and improve its longevity.

We offer a supportive and flexible work environment, with the ability to adjust work hours, hybrid working, competitive salary, comprehensive health insurance, and regular company socials. Magdrive is based at the Harwell Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, UK, with occasional remote working possible.

What you will be doing

• Working with other members of the Experimental Physics team on experiments to investigate and improve the performance of Magdrive thrusters.
• Testing refuelling of the Magdrive thruster with recycled metallic propellant.
• Collaborate with other teams to interpret requirements and plan and conduct experiments to answer their questions.
• Utilising computational analysis tools to analyse results from experiments.
• Interpreting and reporting results from experiments to the team and company.
• Maintaining a tidy, well‑organised laboratory environment and ensuring safe working practices are followed.

What we are looking for

Essential

• PhD in Plasma Physics or Electric Propulsion or similar OR Degree in Physics or Engineering and 4 years’ experience applying experimental physics in industry.
• An enquiring problem‑solving mindset with an appetite for practical experimental work.
• Experience planning, conducting and analysing results of experiments.

Desirable

• Experience of using simulation to support experimental research.
• Practical working knowledge of electronics to support experimental design.
• Experience with vacuum systems & optical diagnostics.
• Experience with Python for computational data analysis and/or hardware control.
• Knowledge of existing electric propulsion technologies.
• Experience with pulsed power or high voltage.
• Experience with simulation tools for electromagnetics (e.g. FEM with e.g. COMSOL) or circuits (e.g. CASTLE or LTSpice).

What we offer

💷 Salary: £45k – £55k per annum (DOE)

🌴 25 days annual leave + bank holidays, plus long‑service awards (up to 30 days)

🏥 Private medical insurance

⏰ Flexible working hours

💻 Remote working where possible

🏡 Financial support for home office setup