Neutron and Gamma Assistant Diagnostic Physicist

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Clifton Hampden; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Defined benefit pension

Relocation allowance

Flexible working

Mental Health support

Generous annual leave

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority is seeking a Neutron and Gamma Assistant Diagnostic Physicist to support diagnostics for plasma research and fusion operations. The role involves lifecycle management from design to commissioning and data validation, under senior staff guidance.

The position requires a degree in a scientific/engineering field or PhD, hands-on hardware experience, and strong data analysis skills. Onsite work is expected, with flexible working options where possible.

Qualifications

• Degree in scientific, engineering or technical subject with experience in an academic or industrial research environment.
• Hands-on experience operating diagnostics hardware.
• Ability to carry out analysis of experimental data and error analysis.
• Ability to conduct physics research as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Support the routine operation of neutrons and gamma diagnostics (e.g., Neutron Camera, Hard X-ray Detector).
• Ensure diagnostics operate per local safety rules and updated procedures.
• Calibrate diagnostics and maintain calibration procedures.
• Contribute to refurbishments for physics studies and data analysis
• Maintain inter-shot analysis codes to produce analysed data.

Skills

Diagnostics hardware

Data analysis

Nuclear science

Radiation safety

Education

Degree in scientific/engineering or PhD

Tools

Data analysis codes

Job description

Neutron and Gamma Assistant Diagnostic Physicist

• Full-time
• Salary: £38,500 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
• Division: Plasma Science and Fusion Operations
• Department: Sensors and Control

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 realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking 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: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstandingdefined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporatebonus schemeup to 7% and aRelocationallowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working optionsincluding family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programmeand trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leaveallowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• A vibrantculturecommitted to equality and being fullyinclusive

The salary for this role is £38,500 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance) . Onsite working is expected for 3days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

This role can be based at any of the following sites: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 Neutron and Gamma Assistant Diagnostic Physicist, you will play a pivotal role insupporting a range of Neutronics, Gamma and Fast Particle Diagnostics used for Plasma research and operations. The job encompasses the full product lifecycle (Requirements, design, manufacturing, commissioning, maintenance decommissioning) and includes data analysis and validation. The post holder will be expected to contribute towards parts of each lifecycle under the guidance of senior staff.

Dependent on their knowledge, experience, and interest, the post holder will be encouraged to train for a role within the MAST Upgrade control room, working with the operational team to configure and safely operate the MAST Upgrade Tokamak to achieve experimental goals.

Please note that this position is offered as a two-year fixed-term appointment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Supporting the routine operation of neutrons and gamma diagnostic in MAST-U. This includes, but is not limited to Fission Chamber, Neutron Camera, Hard X-ray Detector, Reciprocating Probe, Divertor Reciprocating Probe.
• Ensuring the diagnostics operate in accordance with local safety rules, including following and updating commissioning procedures.
• Calibration of diagnostics and ensuring appropriate calibration procedures are in place and properly maintained.
• Contributingand supporting designing and implementing refurbishments required for physics studies.
• Contributingand supporting the maintenance of inter-shot analysis codes to routinely produce analysed data from the diagnostics.

• Degree ina scientific, engineering or technical subject with experience working in an academic or industrial research environment or PhD in a relevant scientific field.
• Hands on experience operating diagnostics hardware.
• Ability to carry out analysis of experimental data, use of suitable tools, error analysis, etc.
• Ability to conduct physics research as part of a team.
• Good oral and written communications skills.
• Experience of working with radioactive sources and/or radiation related diagnostics.
• Experience with data analysis codes

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, including women and 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.