Fast Particle Physicist

Job Description

The salary for this role is £42,858 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working.

The role will be based in 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.

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Fast Particle Physicist, you will be the Responsible Officer (RO) for the MAST‑U Fast Ion Loss Detector and contribute to the scientific exploitation of MAST‑U and to work packages coordinated by EURO fusion.

• Take leading role in the development and scientific exploitation of the MAST‑U Fast Ion Loss Detector (FILD).
• Responsible for proposing and planning experiments in MAST‑U physics campaigns.
• Participate in the execution of experiments and analysis of results from MAST‑U physics campaigns.
• Propose research projects and lead and/or contribute to fusion research carried out through work packages coordinated by EURO fusion.
• Responsible for reporting results at science and other regular internal and/or external progress meetings.
• Disseminate results through conferences and peer reviewed journal papers.

• PhD-level knowledge of experimental plasma physics.
• Proficiency with commonly‑used programming languages, e.g. FORTRAN, C, IDL, Python, Matlab.
• Proven ability to conduct independent research.
• Ability to interact with physicists and understand their requirements.
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent team‑player with an outward facing work ethos, working closely with scientists worldwide.

• Experience in experimental studies of fast particles in tokamak plasmas.
• Experience developing sophisticated data analysis codes in high level languages, e.g. IDL and Python, using curve fitting, error propagation and tomographic reconstruction.
• Experience using fast particle modelling codes.
• Strong record of publications in a closely related field.

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 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 starting at 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 fully inclusive.

A full list of our benefits can be found at

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

UKAEA welcomes talented people from all backgrounds and encourages applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds, and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds.

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