Principal Transport Physicist

By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in a leading edge role in a team contributing towards shaping the future of the world’s energy?

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.

Who are we looking for?

The Principal Transport Physicist will play a leading role in UKAEA's work to advance our scientific understanding of turbulent transport in tokamak plasmas, and/or in developing and exploiting high fidelity computational modelling tools for predicting and optimising plasma performance. As the successful applicant you will bring considerable scientific and technical expertise to the role, and apply this to the delivery of high quality and impactful research on turbulent transport and its impacts on magnetically confined plasma devices.

Taking a leading role in collaborative projects both internally and externally you will be able to influence UKAEA's priorities in this critical area.  

What will you be responsible for?

• Technical leadership of international class research on turbulent transport and its impacts on tokamak performance, carried out through integrated modelling, experiments, and/or turbulence simulation/theory
• Delivery of high quality and impactful research and/or software outputs
• Mentoring and guiding junior researchers in integrated modelling, turbulence and transport experiments,  and/or turbulence simulation/theory.
• Contributions to planning of state-of-the-art research and experiments in transport/turbulence
• Leading, building and fostering collaborations within UKAEA and with external partners
• Providing deep technical knowledge in transport, turbulence, and/or integrated modelling
• Developing leading edge understanding of plasma transport in regimes relevant to burning plasmas, exploiting data from experiments including MAST-U.

Essential

• Extensive high level research experience in integrated modelling; turbulence and transport experiments; and/or turbulence simulation/theory 

• PhD (or equivalent experience) in plasma physics
• In depth knowledge and passion for understanding plasma transport and turbulence
• Track record of strong independent and self-driven research
• Outstanding publications and/or software outputs aligned with the role
• Experience of scientific technical leadership:
          ◦ leading collaborative projects with external or internal partners
          ◦ supervision of PhDs and/or PDRAs
• Excellent communication and influencing skills.

Desirable

• Currently active in scientific research directly relevant to the post
• Experience working with UKAEA's collaborators in transport and turbulence
• High level of experience in software development for world leading codes in transport, turbulence and/or integrated modelling
• Experience of higher level scientific management
• Enthusiasm for engaging stakeholders.

What we offer

Comprehensive benefits package including vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women.

Closing date: 30/02/2023 

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