Senior Applied Physicist

AWE currently have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Applied Physicist.

Would you like to conduct cutting edge research at the world's leading experimental facilities? If so, the Materials Physics Group at AWE have an exciting opportunity available to design, conduct and model High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) experiments at a range of facilities in the UK and overseas, such as the AWE Orion laser, the National Ignition Facility in the US and the Euro-XFEL facility in Hamburg.

If you have experience with conducting and/or modelling experiments especially with high power lasers we'd love to hear from you!

Location: We are located between Reading and Basingstoke, with onsite parking. There are good bus links between Reading, Basingstoke, and Newbury.

Although flexible working is available, due to the nature of this role, it is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site. Team members need to be able to work at AWE Aldermaston during their working hours.

Package: Salary £42,520 to £67,200 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Closing Date: 17th January 2024

If we receive an exceptionally high level of applications, this vacancy may close early, so don't delay, apply now!

The Role:

The Senior Applied Physicist role sits within the Materials Physics Group, part of the Physics sub-function and responsible for understanding the rich and complex physics of materials subjected to extreme conditions.

You will work in a multi-disciplinary team of scientists and engineers to design, execute and interpret High Energy Density Physics experiments at a range of experimental facilities with the aim of gathering new materials data, publishing your work in the open literature where possible. You'll also forge links with colleagues in universities and National Laboratories and work collaboratively to deliver results using cutting-edge facilities.

Who Are We Looking For?

To be considered for this opportunity, you'll need the following:

• A strong undergraduate degree and PhD in Physics or similar discipline

• Relevant postdoctoral experience with a proven publication track record

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Experience in the following would be advantageous but not essential:

• ​betatron and x-ray free electron laser sources

• conducting experiments at large-scale HEDP facilities

• optical and/or x-ray diagnostic techniques e.g., elastic, and inelastic x-ray scattering, EXAFS

• mathematical and computational methods for designing experiments and interpreting results

What will you get from us?

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including Bank Holidays).

• 9-day working fortnight - our employees have every other Friday off work.

• Flexible working hours.

• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time.

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• A market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).

• Life Assurance.

• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending savings.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.

• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site.

Important things you need to know:

• Interviews will be 90 minutes in length and will be held over Microsoft Teams. You will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance.

• Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

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* Agencies: Please note that we do not out-source our recruitment