Senior Materials Engineer

Fusion Energy Base; Culham; Hybrid; GBP 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading fusion research organization in Culham is seeking a Senior Materials Engineer to lead materials science projects. The successful candidate will manage project scopes, coordinate teams, and ensure high-quality research outcomes in collaboration with universities and industry partners. Ideal applicants should have a relevant degree and experience in nuclear materials handling, with a commitment to delivering innovative results and support for a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

Outstanding pension scheme

Corporate bonus scheme up to 7%

Flexible working options

Employee Assistance Programme

Generous annual leave starting at 25 days

Qualifications

• Technical expertise in nuclear materials handling or remote handling.
• Experience in a laboratory environment or materials research.
• Ability to deliver high-quality results on time.

Responsibilities

• Manage materials science projects within the fusion research programme.
• Coordinate project work and deliver high-quality results.
• Lead a small team of material scientists and engineers.

Skills

Nuclear materials handling

Metallurgical preparation of materials

Communication of technical information

Project controls and documentation

Education

Degree or equivalent experience in engineering

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 Senior Materials Engineer, you will play a pivotal role undertaking materials science projects within the Materials Division as part of the UKAEA’s fusion research programme. Depending on the project, you may be working alone or in a team, often as part of collaborations with universities, industrial partners and/or overseas research organisations.

In this exciting role, you will determine the scope of work, recruit team or project members where relevant, perform experimentation, report and present the results internally, but also through conferences and peer reviewed publications. In addition to the general project management accountabilities, you will also act as the subject matter expert, advising on the technical aspects of projects relating to C&I, Remote Handling / Robotics, Electrical Systems and Functional Safety.

Key Accountabilities

• Organise and coordinate projects, arranging equipment availability, scope of work and resources for sample preparation, testing, modelling.
• Deliver high quality, novel characterisation capability in the field of nuclear materials through own endeavour and creative input.
• Compile and present results within technical reports and where required at scientific conferences and through publication of high-quality research articles.
• Build and provide management to a small team of material scientists and engineers, providing research direction and allocating them to projects as required.
• Lead in the characterisation of the materials required for operation in a fusion power plant, collaborating closely and building a network not just with internal stakeholders but with other fusion and GenIV partners in both academia and industry.
• Manage relationships with external collaborators to complement UKAEA’s internal capability and enable access to additional expert knowledge and facilitate new project proposals.
• Propose, secure funding for, and contribute to, delivery of novel projects and capability aligned with internal strategy (e.g. STEP, EPSRC, PhD, Masters placements, graduates).

The salary for this role is £56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

This role is based at the following site; Culham, Oxfordshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

£56,596 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

• A degree or equivalent experience in engineering or similar, ideally within the Nuclear or alternative high-hazard industry
• Technical expertise in at least one of the following areas:
  • Nuclear materials handling
  • Remote handling of small samples
  • Irradiation campaign preparation and support
• Previous experience of working in a laboratory environment / materials research group / experimental campaign.
• Experience articulating complex technical information to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.
• Demonstrable experience to deliver high-quality results to tight timescales.
• Experience in metallurgical preparation of materials.
• Exposure to PUWER, DESIR, IRR and other machine certification / regulatory guidance.
• Experience in technical project controls and documentation.

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [e-mail] if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

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

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.
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays.
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive.

What can I expect from the application process at UKAEA?

Once you have submitted a formal application via our website, all CVs will be reviewed shortly after the closing date of the advert.

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 realising fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking 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: Innovation, Commitment, Trust, and Collaboration.