Research Fellow (Fusion Shielding Materials)

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,130 to £45,413, with potential progression once in post to £48,149

Fixed Term contract up to February 2028

Job Summary

We wish to recruit a motivated experimentalist to generate key data regarding fusion-relevant degradation of novel centre-column shield materials. This includes but not limited to testing fusion materials and their joints to the effect of irradiation, high temperature, heat flux/plasmas, quantify thermo-mechanical property degradation and map failure mechanisms to guide fusion pilot plant designers. As a key member of the team you will work in partnership with Tokamak Energy and will have the opportunity to collaborate with several world-leading research organizations including Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS)-Orsay in France, Oak Ridge National Lab & the University of Tennessee in the US and with industrial manufacturers.

Main Responsibilities

• Work within specified research grants and projects, and contribute to writing bids
• Operate within area of specialism: Fusion Energy, Nuclear engineering, fusion/nuclear materials and joints, plasma-facing components, radiation effects, heat-flux effects, advanced characterization, electron microscopy, W-base refractory metals & ceramics to name a few.
• Deliver cutting edge research in the specified area – fusion materials and joints, Fusion Energy, Nuclear Engineering, plasma-facing components, radiation effects, heat-flux effects, advanced characterization, electron microscopy.
• Collect experimental research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews

Person Specification

• Hold a PhD (or one near to completion) in a relevant area, such as Fusion Energy, Nuclear Materials, Metallurgy, Physics, Nuclear Engineering.
• Experienced in one or more of the following areas: plasma-facing materials & components, fusion-relevant shielding materials, irradiation damage (e.g. ions, neutrons), advanced characterization techniques (transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, diffraction techniques including XRD, atom probe tomography), mechanical testing

Informal enquiries can be made to Prof Arun Bhattacharya: a.bhattacharya.1@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Please quote reference number 105633 in all enquiries.

Closing date: 26 May 2025

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