Plasma Operations Physicist

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 39,331 - 48,072; Full time

Job summary

The UK Atomic Energy Authority seeks a Plasma Operations Physicist based in Abingdon to contribute to fusion energy's future. This pivotal role involves research in plasma operations and supporting experiments in MAST-U and other facilities. Candidates should have a PhD or equivalent in physics, strong communication skills, and be eager to work in diverse teams. The role includes onsite working four days a week, with flexible arrangements supported.

Join a world-class team as we work towards clean energy for all, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups in STEM. Salary is £43,702 inclusive of a Specialist Allowance.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in physics or fusion-related engineering field.
• Desire to develop skills in fusion operations.
• Readiness to conduct research and take part in research teams.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in plasma operations and plasma physics.
• Support control or protection systems as required.
• Participate in experimental programmes as part of teams.

Skills

Understanding of fusion physics

Good verbal and written communication skills

Team player for national and international teams

Education

PhD in physics or fusion-related engineering

Job description

Job Description

The salary for this role is £43,702 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 4 days 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 Plasma Operations Physicist, you will play a pivotal role in plasma operations activities in present and future fusion devices, including fusion power plants. You will join a world class team and support MAST-U operations, contribute to the operations of future machines such as STEP, and travel to other plasma machines around the world to learn and share operational knowledge.

The job holder is expected to develop an area of expertise with tokamak and plasma operations while also developing a general understanding of how future machines will operate in their full life cycle. Experience in areas such (but not restricted to) plasma control, diagnostics, auxiliary heating, plasma physics, modelling or other operational areas (e.g. accelerators, intense lasers) would be ideal candidates for this role.

Job Responsibilities

• Conduct research in plasma operations and plasma physics in the experimental campaigns in UKAEA programmes, such as MAST-U or international facilities.
• Support the Responsible Officers of control or protection systems in present or future devices, as required.
• Attend appropriate forums, as an expert in plasma operations.
• Learn and perform operational control room roles.
• Work together with UKAEA specialists in the design and development activities for existing and new devices, such as STEP.
• Support experts in providing advice on plasma operations that influences UKAEA’s corporate strategy.
• Support plasma operations activities led by the plasma operations experts and internal UKAEA committees and panels.
• Take part in external collaborations where appropriate.
• Participate in experimental programmes (e.g. WPTE EURO fusion) as appropriate, as part of experimental teams.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in physics or fusion-related engineering field.
• Desire to develop skills in fusion operations.
• Understanding of fusion physics.
• Readiness to conduct research and take part in research teams.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• A good team player ready to work in national and international teams.

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 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.