Microwave Physicist

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 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, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment. 
• 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

What to expect in our recruitment process:
For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process

The salary for this role is £48,290 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance) . Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. 

This role can be based at any of the following sites: 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. 

The Role

MAST-U is currently the largest operating spherical tokamak in the world, providing a facility on which to perform experiments to provide the answer to key questions for fusion power to be delivered to the grid. We are looking for a Microwave Physicist who will be responsible for developing theoretical models of microwave plasma interaction and designing and implementing experiments to test theoretical predictions.

The jobholder may be required to carry out analysis tasks for UKAEA in the context of its wider commitments and collaborations relevant to microwave physics. You will have the opportunity to represent UKAEA in international conferences or workshop. Opportunities to collaborate with UK or international organisations may arise.

The jobholder may be required to work shift hours to match EBW system or MAST-U experiment operating schedule.

Role Responsibilities:

• Developing theoretical models for microwave-plasma interaction, with a particular focus on Electron Bernstein Wave interaction;
• Designing, planning and executing experiments to test theoretical predictions;
• Developing diagnostics specific to microwave-plasma interaction;
• Supporting Operations for all matters requiring microwave Physics expertise;
• Publishing research in peer reviewed journals;
• Publicising work internally and at national and international conferences;
• Actively participating in collaborations with external partners.

Essential Requirements:

•  PhD in plasma physics
• Strong track record in publishing research in the area of microwave-plasma interaction
• Experience presenting material at international conferences
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written, and ability to interact with various stakeholders (wider physics team, MAST-U management, external collaborators etc.)

Desirable Requirements:

• Experience with Electron Bernstein Waves is desired

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

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 [email protected] 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.