Fast Particle Physicist (2 Year FTA)
Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Department: Tokamak Science
Salary: £36,397 to £38,620 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Confirmed Grade: Level 4
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

Company Description

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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid. As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Job Description
Who are we looking for?

The most interesting aspect of the role will be the modelling of fast particles in ITER. For this, expertise in plasma physics at at least PhD level will be required.

What will you be responsible for?

You will exploit and help to develop computational models describing the behaviour of fast particles in fusion plasma, particularly ITER-relevant ones, and analyse/interpret fast particle data, particularly from JET. Key duties will be:

- Model fast particle behaviour in ITER-relevant plasmas, focusing on instabilities driven by fast particles in ITER-relevant plasmas (in particular fusion alpha-particles), fast particle losses due to static 3-D magnetic field perturbations, and the development of synthetic fast particle diagnostics for ITER-relevant plasmas
- Where possible, validate fast particle models on existing devices, such as MAST-U and JET
- Assist in the analysis and interpretation of fast particle data from MAST-U and JET
- Contribute to other elements of the UKAEA fast particle research programme
- Report results at science and other regular progress meetings
- Disseminate results through conferences and peer-reviewed journal papers

Qualifications
Essential skills, experience and competence required:

- Hold, or be about to hold, a PhD in plasma physics or possess equivalent experience
- Proficiency with programming languages, e.g. FORTRAN, C, IDL, Python, Matlab
- The post-holder must be a good team-player with an outward-facing work ethos as they will work closely with scientists around the world
- Good oral and written communications skills

Desirable skills, experience and competence

- Experience in fast particle modelling of tokamak plasmas
- Experience in developing synthetic diagnostics for tokamak plasmas
- Experience in analysing and interpreting data from tokamak fast particle diagnostics
- Experience in linear stability modelling of tokamak plasmas
- Record of publications in a closely-related field

Additional Information
What we offer

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 05/03/2022. We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note, all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance - The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.