Research Fellow (Fusion Shielding Materials) - School of Metallurgy and Materials - 105638 - Grade 7

Research Fellow (Fusion Shielding Materials) – School of Metallurgy and Materials – 105638 – Grade 7

Position: Research Fellow (Fusion Shielding Materials) – School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Birmingham.

Position Details

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Salary: £36,130 to £45,413 per annum, with potential progression to £48,149

Grade 7

Contract: Full-time, Fixed Term up to February 2028

Closing date: 7 September 2025

Background

As a leader in fusion engineering & advanced materials, the University of Birmingham is working with national fusion programmes worldwide and with the private sector to advance technologies that promise to fulfil the UK’s ambition of achieving commercial fusion energy. The university works extensively with Tokamak Energy, a UK-based private fusion company to progress the current state-of-the-art regarding advanced materials for a Spherical Tokamak (ST)-specific centre-column shield design. Advanced spatially efficient shields and an understanding of their in-service degradation is essential to the design of STs – to confidently protect the sensitive high temperature superconducting (HTS) magnets from fusion’s extreme environment. Similar shield designs and configurations are anticipated to be needed in most STs being designed worldwide.

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 organisations including Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany, CNRS-Orsay in France, Oak Ridge National Lab & the University of Tennessee in the US and with industrial manufacturers.

The successful applicant will have direct access to a range of unique facilities available in the university, with Tokamak Energy and with collaborating international partners.

Role Summary

• 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.
• Analyse and interpret research findings and results
• Contribute to generating funding
• Contribute to licensing or spin out opportunities with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the discipline or similar

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some, but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• 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.
• Analyse and interpret data
• Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
• Disseminating research results through recognised forms of output such as publications, conferences and public engagement.
• Support the aims of the collaboration with industry and international partners; including communications on advanced methods and techniques.
• Develop or adapt techniques, models and methods
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research.
• Undertake management/administration arising from research
• Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities that benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
• Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
• Carry out administrative tasks related directly to the delivery of the research
• Ensuring good report and management practices internally and with stakeholders; meeting attendance
• Promotes equity and diversity values acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

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
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new methods
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
• Co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day-to-day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly

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

We believe there is no such thing as a \’typical\’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Research and Other

Industries

• Higher Education

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