Plasma Core Team Leader

UK Atomic Energy Authority; England; On-site; GBP 71,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy research organization in the United Kingdom is seeking a Plasma Core Team Leader to enhance research in plasma core physics. The role requires a PhD in plasma physics, with substantial experience in scientific leadership and high-quality publications. The successful candidate will manage a team while conducting their own research and training staff. A commitment to accessibility and diversity in STEM is emphasized, alongside competitive benefits for all employees. Onsite work is expected three days a week, with flexible arrangements supported.

Qualifications

• Deep knowledge and passion for plasma core physics.
• Strong research record in plasma core physics with high-quality publications.
• Experience in scientific leadership: leading collaborative projects and supervising PhDs or PDRAs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Play a pivotal role in ensuring team delivers high-quality research in plasma core physics.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team of PhDs and early-career scientists.
• Provide clear leadership to achieve high-impact outputs.
• Manage staff development and identify capability gaps.

Skills

Hyperion

Acquisition

Asset

ABAP

Basic

ActiveX

Education

PhD (or equivalent) in plasma physics

Job description

Salary: £70,505 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected 3 days per week, but flexible working arrangements are supported.

Location: Culham, Oxfordshire.

Employees are required to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

The Role

As Plasma Core Team Leader, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the team delivers high‑quality research in plasma core physics for the UKAEA scientific programme, supporting tokamak projects such as JET, MAST‑U, STEP and ITER. You will line‑manage staff, oversee recruitment, development and performance, and set team priorities in consultation with stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead a multidisciplinary team of PhDs and early‑career scientists, ensuring work supports UKAEA programme aims.
• Provide clear, positive leadership to achieve high‑impact outputs, including internal and external publications.
• Manage staff development: define personal development plans, set objectives, give performance feedback, conduct annual appraisals, and identify necessary training.
• Identify capability gaps and lead recruitment to fill vacancies promptly.
• Inform programme leadership of staff skills and availability.
• Escalate line‑management risks to senior management and communicate decisions to the team.
• Conduct own research aligned with programme objectives.

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent) in plasma physics.
• Deep knowledge and passion for plasma core physics.
• Strong research record in plasma core physics with high‑quality publications.
• Experience in scientific leadership: leading collaborative projects and supervising PhDs or PDRAs.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Desirable

• Line‑management experience.
• Active research in plasma core modelling, theory or experiment directly relevant to the role.
• Experience working with UKAEA collaborators in plasma core research and application.
• Enthusiasm for engaging with stakeholders.

Additional Information

A full list of benefits can be found on our website. Mission: clean energy for all. We welcome talent from all backgrounds and actively encourage applications, especially from women in STEM, Black, British Caribbean, African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi British communities. UKAEA is committed to accessibility; please contact us for interview adjustments or other support.

Vacancies are advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive many applications.

Remote Work: No

Employment Type: Full‑time

Key Skills

• Hyperion
• Acquisition
• Asset
• ABAP
• Basic
• ActiveX