Specialist Materials Engineer – Experimental

Specialist Materials Engineer – Experimental

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;
Rotherham, South Yorkshire with occasional domestic travel.

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.

As a Specialist Materials Engineer – Experimental, you will play a pivotal role in advancing the understanding and qualification of materials required for current and future fusion power plants. Working within the Applied Materials Technology Group, you will contribute to the delivery of validated material property data and associated research technologies that support the development of fusion devices and commercial fusion energy.

As a recognised subject matter specialist, you will independently deliver moderate to complex research activities, applying best practice in materials testing technologies and advanced measurement techniques to assess materials performance. You will develop innovative research methodologies, provide specialist technical advice within your area of expertise, and review and approve technical outputs to support high-quality engineering decisions. This role offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of materials engineering, collaborating with experts across fusion technology while helping to solve some of the most complex challenges in the transition towards sustainable energy.

• Plan, design and deliver medium- to high-complexity experimental research using advanced materials testing technologies to support fusion materials development.
• Lead experimental work packages, defining test strategies, managing resources, timelines and budgets, and providing specialist technical guidance on materials testing.
• Develop and apply innovative materials testing methodologies and scientific computing tools (e.g. Python, MATLAB) to improve experimental capability and data analysis.
• Disseminate research through technical reports, publications, presentations and collaboration with academic, industrial and research partners.
• Support the development of colleagues through mentoring, knowledge sharing and technical guidance.
• Promote safe, collaborative and responsible research practices in line with UKAEA values and FAIR data principles.

£48,290 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension

Programme: Technology Department

Discipline: Engineering

Site

Location:

UKAEA Rotherham, Yorkshire

Type of Employment: Full-time

Reference Number: REF
4379G

• PhD in a STEM-related discipline or substantial relevant industrial experience in materials engineering or a related field.
• Experience using scientific programming languages, including scripting languages (e.g. Python, MATLAB) and compiled languages (e.g. C++, Fortran).
• Familiarity with materials modelling and simulation techniques, including their applications, benefits, limitations and associated data uncertainties.
• Practical experience in one or more of the following areas: mechanical testing, physical testing, miniaturised testing, classical strength of materials, or mechanisms of material failure (e.g. creep, fatigue and fracture).
• Demonstrable experience applying FAIR data principles within a research or engineering environment, including approaches such as version control (e.g. Git) and research data repositories (e.g. Zenodo).
• Excellent communication and collaborative working skills, including technical reporting, scientific publications, and supporting less experienced colleagues.
• Ability to apply initiative, creativity and attention to detail to resolve technical challenges, improve processes and deliver effective solutions.
• Strong planning, organisation and time management skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage competing…