The fusion industry is a growing rapidly, and more talent is needed to meet the UK’s ambitions of building a world-leading fusion industry which can export fusion technologies around the globe.
For over half a century, fusion research has been almost exclusively performed by publicly funded organisations. This has been supplemented by a significant increase in private fusion investment in recent years, clearly showing an increased confidence in making the fusion dream become a reality.
We must secure talent and a thriving supply chain capable of meeting the needs of the growing fusion industry. The UK Atomic Energy Authority created the Fusion Industry Programme (FIP) to stimulate growth in the UK fusion ecosystem and support talent acquisition. FIP partners with host organisations to offer fusion industry placements to UK-based students. The placements are typically eight weeks and provide opportunities and benefits to both students and the host organisations.
Industry Summer Placements
UKAEA understands the benefits of providing students with work experience in the fusion industry can have to all parties. Therefore, we are offering undergraduates in the UK the opportunity to work with members of the fusion industry for eight weeks over the summer holidays. These placements will range from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to key support functions, such as, business development, procurement, finance, project management and others.
As of 2023, 45 students have explored the fusion industry with 18 host organisations – with some going on to receive offers of employment on graduation.
How do I apply
Please fill out a Student Application for Summer Placement 2024 – this form is for monitoring and eligibility assessment purposes by the Fusion Industry Programme and will not be shared with the host organisations.
Below are the opportunities offered by our host organisations – please apply directly via their website or email.
If you have any questions about the scheme and how it works, please do not hesitate to contact education@fip.ukaea.uk
Affordability
To ensure that people from all backgrounds can commit to the placement, UKAEA’s Fusion Industry Programme provides a subsistence payment to each selected applicant. (2024 – £3,250)
The Fusion Industry School is an annual programme run jointly by UKAEA and the Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT). A limited number of additional support packages are being offered to support students from under-represented backgrounds to access these summer placements in the fusion industry.
In 2024 there will be seven packages of £2,000 available, which could be used to assist with relocation, accommodation or to cover other additional support needs. The application (which is included in the Student Application for Summer Placement 2024 form) will be assessed by a panel from the Fusion CDT and UKAEA, with priority given to students who meet one or more criteria and would struggle to accept a placement without additional financial support. You should have a clear plan of how the funding will enable you to access the internship.
Communities currently under-represented in the fusion industry:
care leavers and care experienced students
estranged students
students who have unpaid caring responsibilities for a parent, family member, partner or friend
students with children
students seeking asylum in the UK
students with refugee status in the UK
home students who were eligible for free school meals in high school and/or sixth form/college (does not include universal infant free school meals) students whose student finance maintenance loan allowance indicates household income less than £35,000
students from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds (including students from Gypsy, Roma or Traveller backgrounds).
students with disabilities and long term health conditions – including students with a diagnosed neurodiverse condition, such as Autistic Spectrum Condition, ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, Dyscalculia and Dyspraxia
students from military families
students who are the first generation in their family to attend university.
Host Placements
3-Sci
Fusion sensor technology development- Ultra High Temperature Electrical Distributed Sensors (UHTEDS)
3-Sci specialises in creating innovative, new sensors. The team is currently developing a new class of sensors that will survive the harsh environments in the fusion energy machines.
The student will be involved in experimental and theoretical work to assist 3-Sci’s development of UHTEDS. This will involve developing an understanding of the UHTEDS underpinning physics and modes of operation, alongside the execution of ‘hands on’ test and evaluation work in 3-Sci’s workshops where several experimental devices and scaled-up prototypes will be fabricated and tested. The project would therefore most likely suit a student with a background in applied physics, electrical and/or electronic engineering. However, students with a background in related technical subjects, materials science or mathematics with appropriate practical skills may also be suitable for this project.
How to Apply: please send a CV and covering letter to mgmaylin@3-sci.com
Fusion sensor technology and market analysis
3-Sci specialises in creating innovative, new sensors. The team is currently developing a new class of sensors that will survive the harsh environments in the fusion energy machines.
This project will focus on the assessment of sensors and sensor availability across Reactor Fusion, including identification and evaluation of opportunities for the new class of sensors being created by 3-Sci. This is a good opportunity for a student to combine commercial and technical skills in a new, growing industry. Applications from students studying in applied sciences, business studies or marketing will be welcomed.
How to Apply: please send a CV and covering letter to mgmaylin@3-sci.com
AtkinsRéalis
Fusion & Advanced Reactors Placement
Working within our Fusion & Advanced Reactors business capability the successful candidates will join an ambitious team who are delivering client projects across the advanced reactor design and fusion markets.
The successful candidates will be empowered to take ownership of technical and project related tasks, either in support of one or several clients, thereby gaining an insight to life working for an engineering consultancy.
These projects will involve a range of theoretical, design, practical, and technological elements, all of which will enable the successful candidates to develop well rounded skills for their future careers. Similarly, the candidates will be encouraged to support and contribute towards our business operations, to gain an insight into how we grow opportunities with our, to develop sustainable workstreams for the future. For example, the candidates will contribute (as part of multi-disciplinary teams) to project tasks and exercises involving optioneering, design, analysis and assessment of fusion relevant technologies and systems, working closely with our clients, to develop a complete understanding of their client’s project requirements, and to deliver cost effective and innovative solutions. Candidates will gain project management, technical, and commercial awareness insights, alongside fundamental soft skills such as team working, time management, written and verbal communication to supplement their strengths and attributes gained during their studies.
Solution Engineering: Machine Learning Solutions for the Fusion Sector
Two students will work closely with digilab’s Senior Technologist-Nuclear and Fusion Consultant to create simulations and demos for the fusion market. The aim of the project is to help translate the cutting-edge projects digiLab have carried out into high-quality, easily accessible demos/explainers to support the customer engagement cycle. Students will develop key skills in engineering and scientific simulation, data analysis and visualisation, and communication. They will gain knowledge and understanding of fusion energy technologies, product development, and technical sales.
Application Closed
Data Science/Software Engineering on Fusion Sector Projects
A student will work closely with our technical team on first-of-a-kind fusion research projects. digiLab’s technical team is the leading uncertainty quantification group in the UK and is composed of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and software engineers. We are consistently working on a range of cutting-edge research projects for the fusion sector. A student will work with our technical team on a fusion-focused project. We are keen to have applications from students with data science, machine learning or software engineering skills. Specific project involvement will be tailored according to the selected student’s domain. The student can expect to gain skills in their area of interest and will have exposure to a range of machine learning techniques, particularly Bayesian approaches.
Application Closed
Full Matrix Ltd
Low frequency ultrasonic sensor development
Depending on the technical background of candidates, they may be involved in electronics or mechanical design and assembly, computer modelling, laboratory experiments, machine learning, or wireless communications. They would be coached and encouraged to plan, conduct, record, and present their work in a scientific and professional manner.
Application Closed
Fusion Advisory Services Ltd
Analysis of the private fusion industry
We are developing reports on a range of topics for fusion. You will be engaged in the technologies, and the fusion companies and their approaches to fusion. You will also be using the latest AI tools to help generate content, automating the workflows for content generation.
Application Closed
Fusion Energy Insights
Fusion Outreach for Businesses
To work on fusion outreach materials, such as videos and blogs, targeted at businesspeople and investors. Fusion relevance – The aim is to grow the fusion ecosystem. The content created will be used to introduce people to fusion or to answer key questions that businesspeople or investors have, such as what is the safety profile of fusion, what are the fuels, or how are the supply chains developing.
Development of HYTRANS – IDOM’s system code for TH calculation
IDOM is developing a system code for advanced calculation for fusion & fission system. This system code is foreseen to be able to accommodate a multiphysics coupling between neutronics, thermal hydraulics (TH), and thermo-mechanical calculation. HYTRANS is part of this system code which main capabilities is performing TH calculation, currently capability is limited in calculating momentum, energy and mass transfer between several different components with simple geometry (tank, pipe and slab). The capability of HYTRANS has been tested in the past to model exotic loop relevant for fusion application such as liquid lithium loop. The main objective of this project is to improve HYTRANS capability in terms of modelling components with the ability to alter the system’s pressure (pumps, compressors, turbines, etc). This capability will help the system code to be better in modelling the actual TH loop, reducing discrepancy in the analysis, and opening the capabilities to model various loops (power cycle, refrigeration cycle, etc).
Through this project the student will have a better understanding on how to the momentum and energy balance are calculated and how to implement those correlations in mathematical modelling and TH simulation. In addition, their fundamental knowledge on fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and thermodynamics will be tested in a proper engineering application. Furthermore, the project will also be helping the student in developing their programming skill, mathematical modelling, and engineering analysis.
Workflow automation of FEM calculations and training Neural Networks
You’ll be running one or two big simulation codes and automating the workflow so that variations in geometry and materials and scenarios can be automated, generating 1000’s of datasets that can then be used to train neural networks and get results faster for fusion power systems.
Application Closed
openSPDM
Development of plasma physics workflows on an open-source digital engineering platform
Traceability of processes and data is essential for the effective use of simulation in fusion reactor development. this can best be achieved by running plasma simulations on a digital platform. the student will formalise the simulation process and implement the identified functions to enable a simulation code such as BOUT++ to be run on the openSPDM platform. the student will develop the skills to implement science and engineering processes on a digital platform
Lifecycle analysis of the use of tungsten in fusion energy
The commercialisation of fusion energy offers a clean, near limitless supply of energy. In the pursuit of this goal a range of reactors have been envisioned, designed, and modelled. There is a strong argument towards smaller fusion reactors due to the reduced time of construction and capital cost of the reactor; however, quantity of structural and functional material in fusion reactors may not scale linearly with the power output. Tungsten has unique nuclear and thermal-mechanical properties that enable the element to be used as key radiation shielding for tokamaks and plasma-facing components. Tungsten also transmutes to Rhenium, Osmium and Tantalum which adds challenges to recyclability of the material. Furthermore, tungsten’s lifetime in a fusion reactor is limited to between 2 – 5 years of operation based on current knowledge.
This project aims to build fusion reactor models, from large/small tokamaks to inertial confinement fusion, to determine the requirement on shielding and first-wall tungsten components. This will provide realistic estimates on the requirements in tungsten. The student will interact with Oxford Sigma’s partners in tungsten mining to model the demand needs for tungsten and how this linked up with a social-economical model for the mining industry. The output will directly contribute to Oxford Sigma’s tungsten technology and strategy.
Breeder blankets are essential components for the successful commercialisation of deuterium-tritium fusion. Their main objective is to enable the tritium self-sufficiency, producing at least as much tritium as is burnt in the fusion reactions, while also enabling the effective harnessing of the emitted neutron energy, allowing conversion to grid ready energy. Fusion breeder blankets impose incredibly harsh environments for materials due to the high thermal, magnetic and radiation loads, and resistance to the highly corrosive molten metal medium. The selection of materials that can tolerate all these phenomena is non-trivial and it is often a compromise between the different properties.
Materials selection is a non-trivial task which will drive the economics, maintenance, and lifetime of a fusion reactor. The selection of materials is an interplay between several characteristics. Having a resource with scoring of a materials characteristics in different fusion relevant environments will enable technical non-specialists to appreciate a material’s suitability beyond their specific expertise. For example, a material might be incredibly corrosion resistant and tolerate high thermal loads but have a very detrimental effect on the neutronics reactor’s neutronic properties.
This project will rely on Oxford Sigma’s extensive literature review along with our expertise on breeder blanket materials and is suitable for 1 student. The student will be exposed to a multi-disciplinary environment where different ideas/requirements must be considered and engineering challenges are tackled in a team decision. The outcome of this project is the production of a detailed scoring matrix for fusion relevant materials, with a relative score given for their independent tolerance to each of the challenging characteristics: thermal, magnetic, radiation and corrosion.
It is expected from the student to develop a broader understanding on how different properties might impact a fusion reactor performance as well as to become aware of the decision-making process considering several complex variables. In addition, a materials strategy roadmap will be produced for one of these materials to outline how the material can be upscaled to a commercial scale in time for fusion energy to be put on the grid.
Making fusion materials processing accessible – developing a graphical handbook on materials processing and manufacturing for fusion to aid component design
Materials for fusion are often unique due to the combined physical and chemical environments. The materials in a commercially relevant fusion system will experience the coupled extremes of high energy neutron irradiation, energetic plasma particle and photon flux, and the high-temperature corrosive environment of a tritium-breeding blanket. Typical materials classes include – reduced activation structural materials; refractory metals, ceramics, and composites; high conductivity copper alloys, molten melt corrosion barriers; and the complex dissimilar materials joints where these materials meet one another.
Often the specific materials have individual requirements in their processing from raw material to finished component that are unusual or particularly challenging (for example, tungsten which cannot be melt processed). This project seeks to take the existing literature and condense the knowledge to a handbook form addressing the materials processing, and thus manufacturing, and manufacturability.
The handbook will address a growing need for ease of access to knowledge on what can and cannot be done in component manufacture to aid engineers and physicists involved in the design of components for fusion. The handbook will need to present complex materials phenomena to a technical, non-specialist audience and will focus on the use of graphical design to improve accessibility of what is otherwise the domain of niche expertise.
Liquid metal corrosion in fusion energy breeder blankets
Breeder blankets are essential components for the successful commercialisation of deuterium-tritium fusion. Their main objective is to enable the tritium self-sufficiency, producing at least as much tritium as is burnt in the fusion reactions, while also enabling the effective harnessing of the emitted neutron energy, enabling conversion to grid ready energy. Fusion breeder blankets are incredibly harsh environments for materials due to the high thermal, magnetic and radiation loads, and resistance to the highly corrosive molten metal medium. The selection of materials that can tolerate all these phenomena is non-trivial and it is often a compromise between the different characteristics.
Computational tool development (robustness and accuracy) & Comparisons of simulation results with experimental results
Develop comprehensive testing suite for koios (the TAE internal wrapper library for WarpX). CI (continuous integration) testing is a powerful modern programming practice that greatly helps save time and effort in code development projects by continuously verifying that already developed functionality is not broken (execution as well as correctness) through new changes or additions to a code base. We now have significant functionality in koios that are used to configure and interact with WarpX simulations (ex. loading of equilibrium fields and particle distributions) which needs testing coverage (currently coverage is at 20%).
Once the CI testing tasks are completed the remaining time in the internship will be spent on tasks related to the integration of synthetic diagnostics into koios. This will greatly aid in comparing results from WarpX simulations with experimental results.
As part of our ongoing effort to accurately capture particle transport in simulation we need to develop modules to capture particle recycling at the reactor walls (neutralization of ions, thermalization of neutrals, etc.). LBNL recently started a project to improve PMI model flexibility in WarpX but we will also need internal developments to couple RustBCA to WarpX. This project will entail building the bridge between WarpX and RustBCA that will allow us to capture plasma material interactions within a global stability WarpX simulation.
Key Skills: Plasma physics or Computational Physics.
Fusion energy public policy & global affairs internship
These interns would be tasked with helping achieve TAE’s fusion-oriented public policy and global affairs goals along three pillars:
direct engagement with local public sector and civil society stakeholders on local Levelling Up initiatives that pertain to fusion, including but not necessarily limited to a future fusion pilot plant site;
engagement across national government entities to foster an encouraging environment for deepening TAE’s presence in the UK and enhancing fusion-relevant technical collaborations; and
promotion of awareness and understanding for fusion among the general UK public, including but not limited to policy and academic circles.
By the end of this eight-week period, the student interns will have gained practical experience in energy and climate policy research, external communications, stakeholder monitoring and management, interfacing with the public sector and civil society, and economic development. The internship experience will also deepen their understanding of and literacy in the vast public policy, energy sector, and climate-based implications of fusion energy. This role will serve as a springboard for those interested in working on critical emerging technologies through a policy lens, broader science and technology policy issues, and climate change- and net zero-related advocacy.
Evaluating Neutron Response in Diagnostics and Shielding through Monte Carlo Methods
The proposed project aims to assess the neutron response within diagnostics and determine the associated shielding requirements using Monte Carlo methods. This research endeavours to comprehensively understand how diagnostic tools respond to neutron interactions and to identify optimal shielding measures for mitigating potential effects. Throughout this placement, the student will delve into Monte Carlo simulations, a fundamental computational technique widely used in nuclear science and engineering. The student will acquire hands-on experience in modelling neutron interactions, gaining proficiency in software tools essential for conducting these simulations. Furthermore, the placement will foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills as the student navigates through complex data analysis, interprets results, and contributes to the formulation of effective shielding strategies within the context of nuclear science.
Application Closed
Machine learning-enhanced electron temperature profile reconstruction from multi-diagnostic measurements
The purpose of the project is to develop a machine learning based approach to reconstruct electron temperature profiles from several diagnostic measurements. The approach aims to provide high temporal resolution prediction of electron temperature and possibly other plasma observables with uncertainty quantification. In this work the student will develop a basic understanding of spherical tokamak plasmas and how various diagnostics tools are used to probe them. Moreover, they will learn about the limitations and complexities of current plasma physics models and how machine learning techniques can be used to trade complexity for robust inference of plasma observables of interest. This will involve the student developing the necessary skills in machine learning approaches, create workflows that use real-life plasma physics data to create predictions and validate them. The prospective student is expected to develop additional skills in data science practices and deepen their knowledge of python programming language.
Application Closed
Active alignment and error correction for laser-based plasma diagnostics
Plasma diagnostics on fusion devices require precise and sensitive equipment to be fielded in incredibly harsh environments, suffering from strong magnetic fields, electromagnetic noise, vibrational instabilities, extreme temperatures, and extreme radiation fluxes. These issues will only be exacerbated on future, larger fusion machines, so actively corrected for their effects on plasma diagnostics is crucial.
This project involves developing alignment corrections for our laser-based diagnostics, which are used to measure the plasma density and its 100-million-degree temperature. The student will become familiar with laser beamline design, assembly, and characterisation. They will then use data acquisition, data analysis, electronics, and control software to develop the technology, and combine it with feedback techniques from control theory to correct for alignment errors. They will also develop their mechanical design knowledge to rapidly prototype and test equipment.
Application Closed
Develop, validate and optimise the site layout of a fusion power plant. Civil Engineering
The layout of a fusion power plant is a multifaceted challenge including social, political, environmental factors in addition to the technical requirements. Infrastructure programs of this scale requires early civil engineer engagement to inform site requirements and assess program cost, schedule and risk profile. The student will develop concept design experience and an understanding of fusion energy and power plant operations.
HTS magnet commercialisation opportunities in fusion
Tokamak Energy has recently launched a new magnets business unit, focussed on the commercialisation of our HTS magnet technology in non-fusion markets, as well as fusion markets beyond our own Spherical Tokamaks. This project will focus on the identification and evaluation of opportunities for magnet commercialisation with external magnetic confinement fusion companies and programmes. The student will develop a technical understanding of our magnet technology and how it differentiates, and its suitability for different applications. They will also develop their knowledge of the fusion industry, key players in magnetic confinement, and develop skills in market analysis and customer insights. The student may also support the development of a specific opportunity, including the development of the business case and proposal. This is a great opportunity for a student interested in combining technical skills with commercial skills in growing industry.
Automation of engineering design workflows for fusion energy applications
We design and build a wide range of high field magnets using a range of tools from FEM tools like COMSOL to python scripts. We are automating the workflow for magnet design using workflow tools like openMETA, Galaxy workflows. The project will be to take one type of magnet through an entire workflow from customer specification to engineering CAD to BOM and cost the components using online engineering software tools. This project is in support of current contracts that Woodruff Scientific has with existing private fusion companies and helping develop the designs for new customers.
Application Closed
Woodruff Scientific Ltd
Fusion Energy Costing Analysis
Woodruff Scientific is currently working for the US Department of Energy, Clean Air Task Force and other private companies to perform techno-economic assessments of the fusion power plant designs. The designs are evolving due to private investment, and we need to track the changes. The project will enable the private fusion company to input their design changes into the costing code themselves and automate the workflow.
Application Closed
The UKAEA team have always listened and helped with our issues where they could. It’s not just the support staff, my fellow graduates on the scheme have been instrumental to my development during my time here. We are all supportive of each other and help whenever required.
