Fusion Technologist (Mechanical Testing)

at  UK Atomic Energy Authority

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 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:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A PhD, or equivalent experience in a structured research environment, based in an engineering or physical science discipline.
• Experience of working in a materials test laboratory.
• Experience of materials data processing.
• Experience of applying best practice across all stages of project lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & control, reporting and close-out).

These capabilities will include:

• Mechanical testing at extremely high (> 1000 °C) and low (< 20 K) temperatures under vacuum and other environments;
• Using advanced measurement techniques such as digital image correlation and spectral pyrometry to measure mechanical performance;
• Applying sophisticated software tools to derive essential material property data with full uncertainty quantification

THE SALARY FOR THIS ROLE IS £38,620 (INCLUSIVE OF A MARKET PREMIUM PAYMENT (MPP))

Job Description
This role can be based at the following site; 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.

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 Fusion Technologist (Mechanical Testing), you will play a pivotal role in fulfilling essential delivery role through practical application of engineering best practice, developed within the Applied Materials Technology (AMT) Group, to advance qualification of candidate materials for fusion power systems. Using skills and experience to support academic and industrial research, as well as train AMT lab users in the latest techniques and methods covering the data management pipeline.

These capabilities will include:

• Mechanical testing at extremely high (> 1000 °C) and low (< 20 K) temperatures under vacuum and other environments;
• Using advanced measurement techniques such as digital image correlation and spectral pyrometry to measure mechanical performance;
• Applying sophisticated software tools to derive essential material property data with full uncertainty quantification.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identify and apply appropriate testing, analysis, and evaluation processes to provide engineering solutions in complex and representative fusion environments.
• Work with stakeholders to understand end-user requirements and ensure these are captured in all stages of the project lifecycle (initiation, planning, execution, monitoring & control, reporting and close-out).
• Deliver materials data based on mechanical testing campaigns, either independently or under mentorship and coaching (dependent on complexity), to agreed expectations (time and budget).
• Work closely with other development-focused scientists and engineers to ensure new and innovative testing technologies are implemented in the AMT laboratory.
  Qualifications