Applied Materials Technology Group Leader

  • Full-time
  • Salary: £60,317 to £63,855 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
  • Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
  • Confirmed Grade: Level 6
  • Department: Special Techniques

Company Description

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 that capture the spirit of how we work. These values include being: Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative.

Job Description

Who are we looking for?

This role is to lead, expand and develop the Applied Materials Technology Group (AMTG) in applied materials science and engineering research within the Fusion Technology Business Unit. This will include developing and implementing the strategic vision and research direction for the group and for applied materials research at UKAEA to support the development of technology and the delivery of fusion. This involves taking the UKAEA lead on identifying and engaging with materials problems for the harsh and complex, synergistic fusion environment, especially for multi-scale problems in the context of in-vessel components.

The Group Leader role involves leading both innovative applied materials research and the qualification and standardisation of testing techniques needed for fusion materials and component qualification, especially: small scale test techniques, non-contact imaging and in-situ analysis; fusion specific design codes validation; materials engineering data and design integration at UKAEA and small-scale mechanistic understanding of performance of materials in real fusion components. The AMTG has its own dedicated testing and analysis laboratories within UKAEA’s Fusion Technology Facilities to enable this programme of work.

The AMTG leader will provide leadership for the delivery of multiple key/large projects at UKAEA and with national and international collaborations where UKAEA plays a key role, also providing speciality knowledge and direction to enable proposal, definition, and delivery of projects that link fundamental materials performance to component performance, structural integrity, materials testing and technique qualification. The ultimate goal of the role is to leverage research activities to enable unprecedented developments in the design and manufacture of components for fusion technology.

What will you be responsible for?

  • Lead the development of the group within UKAEA, using speciality knowledge to ensure facilities are available to match the capabilities required for technical delivery of projects and fusion technology strategy at UKAEA.
  • Manage and technically lead one or more large projects (>£250k per year) within UKAEA in accordance with the UKAEA Management Principles, securing additional expertise either within UKAEA, or externally as necessary, to deliver the UKAEA project commitments.
  • Manage the work and development of staff within the group. Ensure staff capabilities and availability match the requirements of ongoing projects and UKAEA strategic aims. Manage workload for all AMTG staff and oversee recruitment of staff as required to meet strategic and project deliverables.
  • Lead development and oversight of collaborative research with Universities, industry national labs and other research bodes both nationally and internationally in support of UKAEA strategic goals.
  • Influencing and liaising with EUROfusion Project Leaders, Universities, industry and other research bodies to ensure UKAEA’s interest and reputation are protected.

Qualifications

Essential skills, experience and competence required

  • PhD Degree in Materials Science, Engineering or related discipline (OR equivalent experience).
  • Ability to lead teams and provide strategic leadership
  • Ability to define and oversee programmes, equipment purchases for and growth of a laboratory
  • Strong communication and people skills, including proven technical report writing skills
  • Management of large projects (>£250k per year)
  • Ability to lead development and oversight of collaborative research with Universities, industries, national labs and other research bodies both nationally and internationally.
  • Experience in procurement and establishment and qualification of testing equipment.
  • Demonstrable track record in research, including journal publications.

Desirable skills, experience and competence

  • Strong experience of collaborative working with external bodies including universities, research agencies, and industry
  • Experience in preparing grant proposals.

Additional Information

What we offer

  • A competitive salary  
  • A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors 
  • An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives 
  • Flexible working options including family friendly policies  
  • Emergency leave (paid) 
  • 30.5 days annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service 
  • Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)  
  • Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme  
  • Annual corporate bonus scheme  
  • 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, (visible and hidden) and women. Our dedicated ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) partner, with the support from our 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. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10-minute walk from Culham Railway Station in Oxfordshire.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 6th August 2021 . 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 (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

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