Data Scientists

UK Atomic Energy Authority; South Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 54,899 - 74,543; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent pension

Bonus up to 7% corporate performance

25 days annual leave

Flexible working options

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority seeks a researcher to advance AI/ML applications for fusion science, working at the intersection of AI, HPC and scientific discovery.

The role involves leading research, collaborating with international partners, publishing findings, and representing UKAEA in AI-enabled fusion research within an on-site setting with flexible working options.

Qualifications

• PhD in computational, mathematical or physical science with post‑doc and professional experience in AI/ML for fusion science.
• Recognised internationally as an expert in AI for fusion.
• Track record of publishing in AI for fusion or transferable area of research.
• Experience with at least one compiled language (C++, Fortran, C, Rust) or scripting (Python, Julia, R).
• Good UNIX experience and strong English communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead AI/ML research for fusion challenges within a team of UKAEA and international collaborators.
• Develop and publish AI-enabled fusion solutions using HPC environments.
• Contribute to research programmes and influence research directions.

Skills

C++

Fortran

Python

UNIX command line

English proficiency

Collaborative teamwork

Research publication

Education

PhD in computational/physical science

Post-Doctoral experience

Internationally recognised expert

Job description

• Salary: £64,820 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: Computing
• Department: Data Solutions

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 world badly 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

TheData Solutions Unit within UKAEA’s Computing Divisiondelivers innovative research, development, and specialist support across data engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, FAIR data architectures, high-performance computing, and advanced digital technologies. Working at the forefront of fusion research, the team develops secure, scalable data solutions that enable scientists and engineers to optimise their work, accelerate discovery, and support the development of future fusion technologies through collaboration with academia, industry, and partners across UKAEA.

This is an opportunity to shape the future application ofartificial intelligence in fusion research, working at the intersection of AI, HPC, and scientific discovery. As part of theArtificial Intelligence and Machine Learning team, you will provide researchexpertisein the application of AI/ML to complex fusion challenges. You willcontribute toresearch programmesas part of a team ofUKAEA and internationalcollaborators,todevelop innovative solutions using advanced computing environments, including High-Performance Computing (HPC). With significant autonomy, you will influence research directions, develop new opportunities, publish impactful research, and represent UKAEA as a leading voice in AI-enabled fusion research.

What you’ll be Doing

• Corporate AI solutions (MS-Copilot, Google Gemini Enterprise)
• Data privacy/protection rules and UK government regulations (Export Control, regional Cloud deployment, data sovereignty)
• Large LLM deployment on parallel GPU architectures
• Advanced LLM applications (AI-assisted coding, LLM integration in engineering products)
• Knowledge Graphs (Neo4j, GraphRAGs)
• Advanced Control Specialist:
  • AI control methods (Reinforcement Learning, supervised learning, preference optimization)
  • Portability of AI/ML models onto control hardware (real-time workflows, compiled models, FPGA porting)
• AI and HPC Specialist:
  • Optimisation of AI workflows on parallel GPU architectures
  • Porting of AI workflows on specialised hardware (Nvidia GH200, AMD Mi300x, Google TPUs, AWS)
• AI for Engineering applicationsSpecialist:
  • Application of AI to Digital Engineering workflows.
  • Open-source CAD software (FreeCAD, OpenSCAD, LibreCAD)
  • Proprietary Engineering software (Ansys, CATIA, Simulia, Siemens-NX)
  • CAD Meshing for simulations (Gmsh, CGAL, CUBIT, Ansys-PyPrimeMesh)
  • Transformers architectures
  • Fine-tuning and transfer learning
  • Scientific Foundation Models

What you’ll Bring

• A PhD degree in a computational, mathematical or physical science discipline, with Post-Doctoral and professional experience (or equivalent experience in either a commercial or research environment), relevant to the area of AI/ML for fusion science.
• Recognised internationally as an expert in the field of AI for fusion
• Track record of publishing research in the area of AI for fusion, or a similar area of research with transferable knowledge to fusion science.
• Demonstrable experience of at least one compiled programming language (e.g. C++, Fortran, C, Rust) or advanced scripting language (e.g. Python Julia, R)
• Good experience of the UNIX operating system, particularly the command line interface
• Ability to work within a diverse team, but willingness to take significant personal responsibility
• Excellent written and spoken English

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.

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

• A salary of £64,820(inclusive of a £6,500 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, 2.5 privilege days and 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, inclusion and accessibility, and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

Please email [emailprotected] 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 on merit and further information can be foundhere .

Additional information

International travels for short periods of 3-5 days are typical of roles at this level, to nurture collaborations and attend key conferences and workshops in this area of research.

Job Location