Computational Scientist

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Culham; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension

Performance bonus

generous leave

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority in Culham seeks a computational scientist to develop cutting-edge simulation tools for tokamak plasma modelling. You will work on high-performance software and collaborate with plasma researchers to validate and deploy models on state-of-the-art systems like SUNRISE.

Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent research experience, strong programming skills (C++, Fortran, Python or Julia), and a solid background in numerical methods and software engineering.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience in a scientific or engineering field.
• Experience in C++, Fortran, Python or Julia for plasma modelling.
• Experience with high-performance computing and numerical methods (e.g., finite volume).
• Strong software engineering practices and ability to write maintainable code.

Responsibilities

• Develop robust simulation tools for tokamak plasma modelling.
• Ensure software meets requirements, is tested, versioned and documented.
• Collaborate with domain scientists to deploy models and interpret results.
• Mentor junior colleagues and potentially supervise doctoral students.

Skills

C++

Fortran

Python

Julia

HPC

Software engineering

Education

PhD or equivalent research experience

Degree in scientific/engineering field

Tools

SUNRISE supercomputer

Versioning & docs

Job description

• Salary: £43,702 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: Computing
• Department: Computational Science and Engineering

Job Description

About us

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 worldbadly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industryand research organisations to achieveground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the gridby developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the job

UKAEA is seekinga computational scientisttofocus onthedevelopmentofcutting-edgesimulation tools to model the complex plasma phenomena that govern theexhaust region ofatokamak. Effective mitigation of exhaust heat without compromising core performance is a pressing challenge for the design of futurepowerplants,and so performant,accurate, well-engineered simulationtoolsare critically needed. As well as workingwith peerson the development of such capabilities, the role holder willassistwithdeployingandtestingthem onstate-of-the-artsystems like the SUNRISE supercomputer, which is soon to be stood up by UKAEA and Cambridge.

While this role is within UKAEA's computing division, it is expected that the successful applicant willalsowork closely withcolleaguesin the plasma division to validate developed tools against experiment,to assist withtheir use for theinterpretation and design of future devices, and to understand code requirements.

Thesuccessful candidate should have experience with high-performance computingand/ornumerical methods for simulation of physical systems(e.g.finite volume methods)as well assoftware engineeringpractices.Knowledge of exhaust plasma physics or a closely related discipline is highly desirable. The candidate will initially be working on development of the Hermes-3 edge code.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Technical:

Apply computational and numerical methods to scientific problems and develop robust, maintainable software for tokamak plasma modelling.

Ensure software meets user requirements, is tested, versioned and appropriately documented.

Work with domain specialists to deploy computational models for research and development and advise colleagues within your area of expertise.

• Organisational Knowledge:Understand the wider fusion research landscape and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.
• People Management:Mentor junior colleagues and may supervise doctoral students.
• Communication & Influencing:Communicate technical concepts, methods and results clearly to diverse audiences through reports, documentation, publications and presentations.
• Decision Making:Make independent technical decisions within agreed objectives, methodologies and project frameworks, selecting appropriate computational approaches to deliver outputs. Identify and escalation complex or uncertain issues appropriately, while proactively identifying opportunities to apply your expertise.

What You’ll Bring

• Degree in a scientific, engineering or technical subject, together with a PhD or experience working in an academic or industrial research environment.
• Demonstrable experience in at least one modern programming language relevant to plasma modelling, such as C++, Fortran, Python or Julia.
• Familiarity with modern software engineering practices and the ability to independently develop efficient, comprehensible and maintainable code.
• Familiarity with common numerical methods used to simulate relevant physical systems, with an appetite and ability to learn and apply new technologies.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly communicate technical work to diverse audiences, both verbally and in writing.
• Strong organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to deliver projects to the required standards and deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively within a diverse team while taking personal responsibility for specific aspects of work.

UKAEA is an onsite organisation, and this role requires regular onsite presence (usually between 3-5 days in any given week) in line with business needs. We actively support flexible working arrangements where this is compatible with the role

The role is currently advertised at Culham, but other UKAEA locations may also be considered.

We have a generous range of benefits (see the full listhere ) and highlights include:

• A salary of £43,702 (inclusive of a £3,300 specialist allowance)
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefits pension scheme with an equivalent of21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave plus2.5 privilege days;8 Bank Holidays
• 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family-friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

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,inclusionand accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions or require adjustments to help you participate fairly in our recruitment process, for example changes to the way we interview or share information. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment experience for all candidates.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. All appointments are made onmeritand further information can be foundhere .