Computational materials simulation scientist in Didcot

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 groundbreaking 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.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family-friendly policies.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
• Emergency paid leave.
• Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
• Wide range of career development opportunities.
• A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

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 centers on developing high-performance computer models for microstructurally and chemically complex materials, including impurities, phase inclusions, oxide particles, alloying elements, and defects like vacancies, dislocations, and grain boundaries. Responsibilities include formulating numerical algorithms based on interatomic and elastic interactions to investigate material evolution in extreme environments, simulating conditions like high temperatures, stresses, gravitational and magnetic loads, and irradiation effects expected in a fusion power plant.

The Salary for this role will be £40,609 (Includes Market Premium Payment (MPP)) and Onsite working is expected 2 days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Advance and spearhead UKAEA's research in microstructurally and chemically complex materials simulations.
• Emphasize the application of mesoscale models to predict engineering-relevant quantities, particularly focusing on assessing the lifetime of materials in a fusion reactor environment.
• Explore applications of density functional theory, atomistic force field, and dislocation dynamics models to predict the evolution of materials under expected fusion conditions.
• Extend research to include non-fusion applications, broadening the scope and impact of the work.
• Actively participate in, facilitate, and potentially lead international projects, fostering collaboration among scientists from three or more countries.
• Develop new collaborations in cross-cutting areas of materials and engineering simulations, ensuring UKAEA's research maintains an internationally leading position.
• Produce consistently high-impact scientific output, including conference presentations and first-author journal papers, contributing primarily to the EPSRC/EUROfusion research program while collaborating closely with other programs at UKAEA.

Qualifications:

Essential Requirements:

• PhD degree in condensed matter theory, computational materials science, or related discipline.
• Established expert in simulations involving High Performance Computing, preferably in condensed matter theory or computational materials science.
• Track record of first-author journal publications in career.

Desirable:

• Long-term vision for fusion research needs in materials science.
• Fellowship or membership of a learned professional body, e.g., IoP.
• Lecturing or tutorial experience.
• Ability to communicate and influence other stakeholders, especially post-holder’s equivalents in universities, international laboratories, etc.
• Interest and ability to interact, collaborate with and where required supervise members of staff involved in related projects.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the following link for information on criminal records checks.