Senior Research Chemist (Team Leader)

Senior Research Chemist (Team Leader)
Abingdon Road, Culham, Oxfordshire
Full-time
Salary: £52,293 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Level 5
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 realising 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.

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.

Salary: £46,293 + £6,000 MPP - total package £52,293

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 Senior Research Chemist and Team Leader, you will work in the Tritium Fuel Cycle (TFC) Division who is 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 play a vital part in supporting the delivery of high-impact research and development programmes, as well as developing productive collaborations and growing a community of experts. The role has two focuses:

- Deliver research which supports the realisation of a commercially viable fusion tritium lifecycle by demonstrating a deep understanding of scientific processes, providing technical leadership, and acting as Scientific Project Lead in experimental design and delivery.
- Line management of a team of up to eight scientists, setting resource allocation and objectives, providing performance management and professional development, and ensuring welfare is maintained.

Please note that this role is largely desk-based.

Additional Responsibilities:

- Senior chemist with research experience.
- Plan a test programme, managing the team's work and analysing results.
- Use and knowledge of gas analysis methods, in particular hydrogen, to support tritium research experiments.
- Maintain accurate records of experimental data while preparing and delivering concise and clear technical reports, presentations, and publications that effectively communicate research results and their implications.
- Stay current with the latest advancements in the field and apply this knowledge to effectively support tritium science and technology research and development.
- Ensure suitably qualified and experienced staff are in place to meet both current and future organisational needs.

Qualifications

- Degree or equivalent level in relevant STEM subject.

Essential Requirements

- Experience working on projects as a technical lead.
- Experience line managing and coaching technical individuals.
- Experience in building and leading technical teams.
- Mentoring engineers and scientists.

Desirable

- Experience with the design of experiments.
- Experience with securing funding.
- Experience with building collaborations.
- Experience with gas Raman and mass spectrometry.
- Experience managing a project budget.
- 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 for information on criminal records checks. 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.