Fusion Technologist

Company Description
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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.
As we work towards our mission and goals,UKAEA has devised values (**Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative**) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Job Description*
Who are we looking for?*
STEP is a £220 million UK Government funded, five-year project to design a commercially viable fusion reactor; which will lead to the construction of a prototype by 2040. We have a vacancy for either a Fusion Technologist or a Senior Fusion Technologist who will have a direct input into the integrated plant design work of potentially the World's first fusion power plant.
This role currently available as a 2 year fixed term appointment within the Power Plant Technology Group (PPTG) in the Fusion Technology Business Unit. The group is responsible for integrated fusion power plant design studies and maintains, develops, and applies the power plant design software PROCESS and BLUEMIRA.
**What will you be responsible for?**
As a Fusion Technologist you will focus on the use and development of models for fusion power plant design using systems codes within PPTG. You will:

- Contribute to improving PROCESS and BLUEMIRA through the development of new models and supporting tools aimed at improving the usability and scope of PROCESS and BLUEMIRA.
- Contribute to the documentation/publication of new models and their effect on power plant design
- Deliver conceptual designs for fusion power plants with a focus on STEP and EUROfusion programmes.
- Contribute to investigating the effects on overall design of actual or assumed developments in fusion physics and technology.
- Interact with experts on specific areas of power plant design as required to support their work with systems integration aspects.
- Build and maintain international contacts to projects that would benefit from systems modelling design.

As a Senior Fusion Technologist you will take a central role in the use and development of models for fusion power plant design using systems codes within PPTG; including leading, supervising, and reviewing topics of work inside the team. You will:

- Lead areas of PPTG modelling capability and deliverables for all programmes (EUROfusion, STEP, collaborations, etc.).
- Improve PROCESS and BLUEMIRA through the development of new models and supporting tools aimed at improving the usability and scope of PROCESS and BLUEMIRA.
- Project manage, train and guide junior staff members to enable delivery
- Manage, review, and approve documentation of new models and their effect on power plant design.
- Publish papers in international peer-reviewed journals.
- Deliver conceptual designs for fusion power plants, with a focus on STEP and EUROfusion programmes.
- Seek out and drive interactions with experts on specific areas of power plant design, both internally and externally, as required to support their work with systems integration aspects.
- Build and maintain international contacts to projects that would benefit from systems modelling design.
- Work with PPTG software team to maintain world-leading systems code capability.
- Act as the internal expert on integrated fusion power plant design and modelling.

Please note that this role is split over two levels and the Level 4 Fusion Technologist offers a salary of £36,397 - £38,620 (inclusive of MPP) and the Level 5 Senior Fusion Technologist offers a salary of £49,396 - £52,293 (inclusive of MPP). Your level will be assessed at interview.

Qualifications*
Essential skills, experience and competence required*
**Fusion** **Technologist (L4)**:

- A PhD in Physics/related engineering discipline or equivalent work experience.
- Experience in scientific modelling.
- Appetite and ability to research and learn about fusion physics and engineering.
- Familiarity with Linux-type computer systems and programming.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Self-motivated and capable of working in a team.

**Senior Fusion Technologist (L5)**:

- Demonstrable experience of leading technical projects.
- Appetite and ability to research and learn about fusion physics and engineering.
- Strong background in fusion scientific modelling and modern software engineering practises.
- Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well on projects.
- Strong technical writing and communication skills.
- Experience in management of junior staff.

**Desirable skill