MHD Computational Physicist

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Atomic Energy Authority is seeking an MHD Computational Physicist to contribute to fusion energy development at the Culham facility. This role focuses on plasma stability and includes responsibilities such as conducting research and developing codes. Candidates should possess a PhD or equivalent in Physics and programming proficiency to succeed in this impactful position.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in Physics or related field required.
• Proficiency in programming languages like C, FORTRAN, IDL, and Python.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research.

Responsibilities

• Perform plasma stability calculations for the STEP device.
• Study plasma instabilities including Resistive Wall Modes.
• Participate in MAST-U MHD experiments and data analysis.

Skills

Programming in C

Programming in FORTRAN

Programming in IDL

Programming in Python

Independent physics research

Good communication skills

Teamwork

Education

PhD in Physics or related area

Tools

Data analysis software

Job description

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This role will be based in 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.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy.

As an MHD Computational Physicist, you'll play a key role in supporting the UKAEA programme on plasma stability by developing and exploiting plasma MHD stability codes to understand plasma instabilities and to develop ways to avoid them or minimise their negative effect on tokamak plasmas. You'll be immersed in a dynamic environment where your expertise will directly impact the design and optimisation of fusion power.

Your primary focus will be on the UKAEA's Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project, a groundbreaking initiative to design and build a prototype fusion power plant. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to studies on the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST-U).

Your career development as a scientist will be strongly supported, including working towards chartership with the Institute of Physics.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform plasma stability calculations for scenarios proposed for the STEP device
• Study means to control plasma instabilities, including Resistive Wall Modes, Error Fields and ELMs in STEP
• Take part in MAST-U MHD experiments and the analysis of data
• Develop and extend the models in MHD codes used by UKAEA to study plasma stability
• Contribute to refereed journal articles and attend international conferences on magnetic fusion as agreed with management
• Be responsible for building a strong network of external collaborations

This role will be based in 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.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy.

As an MHD Computational Physicist, you'll play a key role in supporting the UKAEA programme on plasma stability by developing and exploiting plasma MHD stability codes to understand plasma instabilities and to develop ways to avoid them or minimise their negative effect on tokamak plasmas. You'll be immersed in a dynamic environment where your expertise will directly impact the design and optimisation of fusion power.

Your primary focus will be on the UKAEA's Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) project, a groundbreaking initiative to design and build a prototype fusion power plant. You will also have the opportunity to contribute to studies on the Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak Upgrade (MAST-U).

Your career development as a scientist will be strongly supported, including working towards chartership with the Institute of Physics.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Perform plasma stability calculations for scenarios proposed for the STEP device
• Study means to control plasma instabilities, including Resistive Wall Modes, Error Fields and ELMs in STEP
• Take part in MAST-U MHD experiments and the analysis of data
• Develop and extend the models in MHD codes used by UKAEA to study plasma stability
• Contribute to refereed journal articles and attend international conferences on magnetic fusion as agreed with management
• Be responsible for building a strong network of external collaborations

Qualifications

Essential Requirements:

• PhD or equivalent level of experience in Physics or related area
• Proficiency with programming languages, e.g. C, FORTRAN, IDL, Python
• Proven ability to conduct independent physics research
• Good oral and written communications skills
• Excellent team-player with an outward facing work-ethos as you will work closely with scientists from around the world

Desirable:

• PhD or equivalent experience with expertise in experimental physics
• Experience in developing and/or overseeing diagnostics systems in complex scientific environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency with data analysis software and IDL or Python languages
• Professional approach to operation and safety
• Ability to work effectively in a large team

Additional Information

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

UKAEA's mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [emailprotected] 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.