Research Chemist

Abingdon Road, Culham, UK
Full-time - flexible working requests are welcome
Salary: £38,620 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Level 4
Department: H3AT

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 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.

Salary: £38,620.

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 of up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
- Flexible working options, including family-friendly policies.
- Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders.
- Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service.
- Wide range of career development opportunities.
- A vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

Job Description

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Research Chemist, you will work in the Tritium Fuel Cycle (TFC) Division, which are responsible for delivering tritium capabilities in support of:

- Fusion fuel cycle research in support of the JET, ITER, DEMO & STEP programmes.
- Tritium technology R&D.
- Commercial activities involving tritium and other active gasses.

This role will support TFC delivery of commercial activities, tritium technology R&D, and fuel cycle research. The role's primary focus will be to help develop concepts of tritium systems for fulfilling a wide variety of project requirements. The role will then involve taking projects from the initial concept stage, through design and manufacture to a fully engineered solution, leading in some stages of project development. As part of this, you will identify, plan, develop, and undertake scientific research, prepare scientific documentation, and provide advice and guidance in the field of chemistry.

Please note that this role is not solely lab-based.

Additional Responsibilities

- We’re looking for a Research Chemist to support tritium breeder technology and future work on tritium experiments.
- Support with tritium breeder experiments and experimental rig commissioning.
- Planning a test programme, responsible for the day-to-day running of experimental facilities and results analysis.
- Presenting results at conferences, and contributing to journal papers and reports.
- Utilising experience with gas analysis methods, in particular hydrogen.

Activities may be undertaken in conjunction with other divisions within the UKAEA, UKAEA collaborators or institutions abroad, and require a high degree of teamwork. A willingness to undertake international travel is required.

All practical work to be undertaken in a controlled manner using risk assessments and the development of controlled work packs and operating instructions. The appointee must also be environmentally aware.

Qualifications

Essential Requirements

- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in chemistry or chemical sciences.
- Experience in a research environment.
- Experience in planning and carrying out research projects.
- Experience with gas analysis methods, in particular hydrogen.
- Ability to communicate with both specialists and non-specialists and write impactful scientific reports/journal papers.
- Ability to work independently, plan and organise workload, and deliver to deadlines.

Desirable

- Experience with the design of experiments.
- Experience of MatLAB.
- Experience in procurement in support of project work.

Additional Information

For a full list of benefits and to apply, select the apply button to be taken through to the UKAEA careers pages.

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

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

For applicants applying from outside the United Kingdom or those who have spent time outside the UK in the last five years, please visit the UK Government website. If your country of residence or previous residence is not listed on the website or if the UK Government does not have information on obtaining a criminal records check from that state, we regret to inform you that we cannot process your application.