Material Scientist

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 leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for groundbreaking 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

Job Description

The salary for this role is £43,702 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each 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

As a Materials Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in advancing nuclear materials research across a diverse and collaborative division spanning experimental, modelling, and materials development capabilities. You will design and deliver experimental and/or multiscale modelling studies—ranging from irradiation damage characterisation to materials–plasma interactions—work closely with academic, industrial, and international partners, and communicate your findings through reports, conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.

Working across the Materials Research Facility (MRF), Fusion Materials Interaction (FMI), and Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) teams, you will contribute to activities such as microstructural, thermophysical, and mechanical characterisation; development of new experimental techniques and diagnostics; application of methods including density functional theory and FEM; and the design and assessment of advanced materials (e.g. metals, ceramic composites, coatings, and interfaces) under irradiation and complex service conditions. You will also support project planning and funding applications, helping to shape innovative research that underpins the future of fusion energy.

The position is based within the MSE team, specifically within the NEURONE steels development programme. The role focuses on the microstructural characterisation of novel fusion steels using optical, scanning electron, and transmission electron microscopy. This work will develop understanding of how microstructure evolves under radiation damage, including helium flux, and how features such as precipitates can mitigate degradation. Collaboration with the UKFE Materials team to develop and assess materials for the STEP fusion device will also form part of the role.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Contribute to UKAEA research programmes on fusion materials by organising and coordinating short- and long-term projects, including specimen/data procurement, scope definition, funding, and resources for preparation, testing, and modelling.
• Deliver high-quality, innovative research and engineering in nuclear materials through independent and creative input.
• Analyse, compile, and present results via technical reports, scientific conferences, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Collaborate with external partners (universities, public research organisations, and industry) to complement UKAEA’s internal capabilities.
• Support the development and strengthening of UKAEA’s knowledge base, design rules, and best practices in materials and nuclear physics R&D.
• Contribute to and help deliver strategically aligned projects (e.g. STEP, EUROfusion, EPSRC, and student/graduate programmes).
• Propose, secure funding for, and deliver innovative projects aligned with organisational strategy.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science or equivalent.
• Postgraduate research experience in materials science, demonstrated via industry work or MSc/PhD.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated and effective team player.

Desirable Requirements:

• Research experience in nuclear materials science.
• Knowledge of fusion-relevant materials and typical fusion plant components and manufacturing methods.
• Experience in materials selection and justification for projects.
• Experience in writing research proposals and project planning.
• Data management skills.

Additional Information

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 talent@ukaea.uk 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.