Material Scientist
Overview of Responsibilities
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.
