Foster International Fellow in Abingdon

Plasma Science and Fusion Operations Division - 2 Year FTA Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK Full-time Salary: £40,609 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension.

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 realising 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.
• 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.
• 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.

The salary for this role is £40,609 inclusive of Specialist Allowance, and onsite working is expected for 4 days a week.

This role can be based at any of the following sites: Culham, Oxfordshire and 12 consecutive weeks onsite at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and be eligible to obtain a Singaporean Training Employment Pass.

The Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Training, Education and Research (FOSTER) programme is an ambitious new national fusion skills programme delivered by UKAEA on behalf of the UK fusion sector. FOSTER's mission is to train over 2200 people in the next 5 years, ready to take roles within the fusion industry.

In order to deepen the talent pool available to the fusion industry, the FOSTER International Fellowships Scheme aims to create research opportunities at the post-doctoral level, through partnerships between UK and international organisations, to enable post-doctoral candidates to develop their research skills and support a pathway into either an industrial R&D role or an academic career.

This 2-year fellowship position will enable you to self-direct your own research within one of the themes described below, to be selected according to your preference and specialism. Furthermore, you will be partnered with an international fellow employed by Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore who will be working in a complementary area and will be able to share their experience with you. As part of this fellowship, you will undertake c.12 consecutive weeks of research at NTU's facilities in Singapore, as well as hosting your partnered fellow in the UK.

Understanding plasma particle and energy confinement is essential for reliably designing efficient future fusion power plants. The themes of the fellowship address turbulent transport in plant-relevant conditions and are as follows:

• The first theme is associated with electromagnetic turbulence in the core plasma.
• The second theme is related to the effect of geometry on plasma confinement.
• The third theme focuses on the development of theoretical and numerical models to better describe the turbulent transport outside the separatrix.
• Understanding impurity transport, as an isolated theme or within the other ones, is essential to ensure performance and a good core/edge and confinement/exhaust balance.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Identify, plan, design, develop, and undertake scientific research and experimental activities within the assigned area of scientific interest.
• Develop and maintain a research plan, with review input from an assigned UKAEA supervisor and partnered international fellow.
• Prepare scientific reports/data and documentation and present research findings through appropriate meetings and forums.
• Carry out visits to the international partner location in support of the research being carried out.

Qualifications Essential Requirements:

• Post-graduate degree (PhD) or equivalent level in a relevant STEM subject with demonstrable scientific experience.
• Practical experience of designing and carrying out experimental research projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Able to obtain a Singaporean training employment pass.

We welcome talented people from all backgrounds who want to help us achieve our mission. We encourage applications from under-represented groups, particularly from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African, Pakistani and Bangladeshi British, and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and neurodivergent individuals.

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