Lead Data Scientist

UK Atomic Energy Authority; South Oxfordshire; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

Pension scheme

Annual leave and holidays

Site closure during holidays

Flexible working options

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) invites applications for a leadership role in AI for fusion energy. The Data Solutions Unit develops AI/ML, data governance, and high-performance computing capabilities to accelerate fusion research.

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, shape AI strategy, and collaborate with experts worldwide while working onsite with flexible options. A PhD and strong publication record are expected.

Qualifications

• PhD with significant research or industry experience.
• Established expertise and reputation in AI/ML or a related field.
• Proven experience leading research teams and managing complex projects and collaborations.
• Strong track record of publications and AI/ML contributions.
• Advanced programming experience in C++, Fortran, Rust, Julia, Python, or R with UNIX/Linux.
• Experience applying agile development practices and software engineering principles.
• Knowledge of data governance, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to influence stakeholders across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of 6-9 researchers in AI for fusion energy.
• Develop and apply AI/ML techniques using HPC and exascale tech to support fusion research.
• Provide strategic AI leadership across multidisciplinary programs and collaborations.
• Drive innovation in AI-enabled fusion research and identify new opportunities.
• Influence research strategy, manage risks, evaluate solutions, and support decisions.
• Analyze complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions.
• Communicate complex concepts to diverse audiences and publish outcomes.
• Lead and mentor talent across AI, ML, and scientific computing.
• Manage projects, partnerships, resources, and funding to deliver outcomes.

Skills

Scientific AI

Fusion research

PyTorch

JAX

AI leadership

HPC

Docker

Python

UNIX/Linux

Education

PhD in computational/scientific field

Tools

SLURM

Ray

Horovod

Kubeflow

Docker

Job description

• Salary: £71,815 (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 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

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 research leadership in the application of AI/ML to complex fusion challenges. You will lead multidisciplinary research programmes, collaborate with international experts, and develop innovative solutions using advanced computing environments, including High-Performance Computing (HPC). With significant autonomy, you will influence research direction, develop new opportunities, publish impactful research, and represent UKAEA as a leading voice in AI-enabled fusion research.

We are looking for someone with:

Expert knowledge of Scientific AI applications.

Expert knowledge in fusion research.

Experience developing and applying AI/ML solutions using frameworks such asPyTorchand JAX.

A strongtrack recordof research publications, conference contributions, and knowledge sharing within the AI/ML community.

Experience in leading teams of specialised AI researchers to accelerate the delivery of fusion energy.

Experience developing and scaling AI/ML workflows acrossHigh PerformanceComputing (HPC)and cloud environments using technologies such asSLURM, Ray,Horovod, Kubeflow, and Docker.

Knowledge ofFAIR data principles, data governance, and data engineering practicesto support robust, scalable, and reproducible research.

WhatYou’llBe Doing

Lead a team of 6-9 researchers in the domain of AI for fusion energy.

Lead the development and application of advanced AI/ML techniques using HPC and exascale technologies to support fusion research.

Provide strategictechnicalAIleadership across complex multidisciplinary research programmes, collaborations, and projects.

Drive innovation in AI-enabled fusion research byidentifyingopportunities, solving complex challenges, and advancingnew approaches.

Apply expert judgement to influence research strategy, manage technical risks, evaluate solutions, and support high-impact decision making.

Analyse complex technical challenges and develop innovative solutions where established approaches may not apply.

Communicate complex technical concepts to diverse audiences,provideexpert advice, publish research outcomes, and represent UKAEA through national and international collaborations.

Lead and inspire multidisciplinary research teams, mentoring emerging talent and building capability across AI, machine learning, and scientific computing.

Manage complex projects, partnerships, resources, and funding opportunities to deliver impactful research outcomes.

WhatYou’llBring

PhD (or equivalent experience) in a computational, mathematical, physical science, or related discipline, with significant research or industry experience.

Establishedexpertiseand reputation in AI/ML or a related field

Proven experience leading research teams, managing complex projects, resources, and external collaborations.

Strongtrack recordof research publications and contributions to the AI/ML or scientific computing community.

Advanced programming experience in compiled or scripting languages (e.g.C++, Fortran, Rust, Julia, Python, or R) with strong UNIX/Linux experience.

Experience applying agile development practices, software engineering principles, and collaborative research approaches.

Knowledge of relevant standards, governance frameworks, data principles, and regulatory requirements.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to take ownership of complex technical challenges and influence stakeholders across disciplines.

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 £71,815inclusive ofa £7,700 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,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 youparticipatefairly 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 .

Additionalinformation

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