Tokamak Operations Manager in Abingdon

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 £81,090 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 5 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. This role will be based from Culham, Oxfordshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data.

MAST‑U, the world’s largest operating spherical tokamak, is a cutting‑edge facility used to advance key research needed to bring fusion energy to the grid, and the Tokamak Operations Manager plays a central role in its success. This position is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient day‑to‑day running of the facility, including overseeing operational periods, commissioning, and restarting new plant systems. The role involves leading and coordinating multidisciplinary expert teams to integrate new equipment and capabilities, ensuring operational milestones are achieved, and providing innovative solutions to technical challenges. Additionally, the Operations Manager acts as a key advisor on machine operations for internal and external programmes, engages with stakeholders, and supports the broader fusion research community through collaboration and consultancy.

Additional Responsibilities

• Lead coordination meetings to manage tasks, staffing, and delivery of operational periods in line with programme objectives
• Guiding the operations team to deliver compliant machine operations through robust operating procedures
• Providing clear, measurable goals to define the successful operation of the machine and delivering against them
• Acting as the senior point of approval on operations matters for all plant modifications
• Ensuring there is effective communication of the operating schedule and status for the facility to all relevant stakeholders
• Reviewing technical aspects of new plant/diagnostics/systems to ensure fitness for operational use
• Overseeing the commissioning activities to ensure work is carried out in a safe, effective and efficient manner
• Acting as restart manager after shutdowns to deliver the experimental campaign as required by the programme
• Monitoring progress of activities affecting operations to ensure interventions are timed to minimise the impact on operations

Qualifications

• MSc or PhD in physics or engineering subject, or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Relevant experience of commissioning and operating a large facility
• Significant and demonstrable experience of leading multi‑disciplinary technical teams at a national or multinational facility
• Proven excellent interpersonal skills with experience working alongside a range of engineering and scientific colleagues
• Significant Safety management experience

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email us if you have any questions or require help or adjustments to compete on a fair basis, for example, changes to the way we interview or share information.

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