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Head of Robotics Research Programme

Employer
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Location
Culham, UK
Salary
£70,696 to £75,414 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Posting live until
23 Oct 2022

Job Details

Head of Research Programme

Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Department: RACE Operations
Salary: £70,696 to £75,414 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Confirmed Grade: Level 7
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire

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 are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.

RACE is a leading laboratory, solution provider and operator of robotics and autonomous systems. Our cross-functional competencies enable us to deliver innovative solutions that combine advanced control systems, sophisticated mechanical designs, state-of-the-art sensing, and extraordinary performance. We also develop sophisticated VR, optimisation, and planning tools to enhance these systems. We have a dynamic, and highly motivated team of 80 engineers, scientists and technicians devoted to building systems that perform tasks in some of the most extreme environments in the world.

As part of the global programme for fusion, RACE is developing remote handling systems for the next generations of power stations. It is also at the centre of the UK effort to apply novel technologies to all challenging and harsh environments for the protection of people and advancement of industry. RACE designs, procures commissions, operates and maintains the wide range equipment is used for maintenance and implementation of enhancements of the JET Tokamak and is active in the design and development of remote maintenance systems used in ITER and DEMO fusion reactors.

As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.

Job Description
Who are we looking for?

As Head of Research Programme, you will report directly to the Head of RACE. You'll be responsible for the maintenance and expansion of the research portfolio for the business unit. RACE Head of Research Programmes forms an intrinsic part of the RACE leadership team which has the responsibility for developing RACE’s reputation as a ‘go to’ source of forward-thinking operational expertise, innovation, consultancy and training for users of remote handling equipment.

What will you be responsible for?

  • Leading the identification of ‘RACE ideas’ both with fusion and beyond, exploring new technologies and applications feeding into next generation remote operations and maintenance;
  • Designing and communicating RACE research strategy;
  • Lead creating and winning new research work;
  • Lead on Research Programmes across all RACE ‘disciplines’ (mechanical, electrical, software, operations);
  • Lead the identification of ‘RACE ideas’ both with fusion and beyond, exploring new technologies and applications feeding into next generation remote operations and maintenance;
  • Supporting development of skills across RACE;
  • Supporting project delivery as technical consultants to all RACE projects, with particular input on consistent use of technology and methods;
  • Develop and executes strategies for building and exploiting valuable and disruptive IP relevant to RACE activities;
  • Connect to UKAEA’s ‘Fellows’ stream creating a culture of strong cross-UKAEA technical experts;
  • Promote RACE delivery internationally;
  • Develop RACE collaborations internationally. Strengthen collaborations with Horizon scan opportunities.


Budget Responsibility

Responsible for developing proposals and leading research activities up to a value of £10M per annum.

Qualifications

Essential skills, experience and competence required

  • Recognised leader in the nuclear robotics community;
  • Significant experience in nuclear fusion and decommissioning fields;
  • Expert level knowledge across a range of robotics fields such as mechatronics, planning, control, AI, Digital Twins, Machine Learning, HRI;
  • Extensive industrial research experience including complex international collaborative projects;
  • Knowledge of remote handling systems and remote operations is highly desirable, as is knowledge of nuclear operations and/or petrochemical operations;
  • Proven ability to interact efficiently with people in a variety of different situations;
  • Proven track record of building relationships, networks, and collaborations with industry and academia;
  • Proven track record of securing funding including from Research Councils;
  • Understanding of UK and international funding schemes and systems;
  • Engineering or technology PhD or equivalent experience in industrial research. Chartered Engineer.


Additional Information

What we offer

Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).

We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 23/10/2022. We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.

Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.

Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.

Company

UKAEA profile imageUKAEA researches nuclear fusion (the power source of the Sun), to develop a viable future low carbon energy source. UKAEA operates two major fusion experiments, Europe’s JET and UK’s MAST Upgrade; has technology centres in robotics, materials and component testing; and is embarking on a UK powerplant design activity – STEP.

Why study with us
Harnessing fusion power for future electricity production is an enormous scientific challenge. It requires a very hot gas of fusion fuels to be confined and controlled. A scientific career at UKAEA promises to be intellectually stimulating. Research roles range from experimental physicists on UKAEA’s MAST Upgrade and the European JET fusion experiments to theoretical physicists modelling complex plasma behaviour. And ultimately, you are working directly towards a new zero carbon future – what better reason to get up in the morning?

Training and development
UKAEA is committed to developing all employees by offering a range of programmes and support to suit their individual career aspirations. Our advanced apprenticeship and graduate schemes are certified by IMechE and IET and we are members of the IET Power Academy. In the physics field we offer PhD and MSc opportunities and Culham Research Fellowships. In addition to the structured development schemes we also provide individual development as needed by the business and career trajectories, including management development opportunities.

Graduate schemes
UKAEA’s two-year graduate programme provides the opportunity to obtain skills and experience to launch your career, working on projects that make a real contribution to developing clean energy from fusion. You will spend 80% of your time on your job role and technical development and 20% on graduate scheme activities. Some of the 20% is allocated to specific tasks with the remaining time dedicated to activities chosen by you in discussion with your line manager, mentor and graduate scheme management.

What we are looking for
We are currently seeking to recruit physicists to work in a number of areas of tokamak plasma modelling such as:

  • Gyrokinetic simulations of core plasma turbulence (two positions)
  • Fast particle physics
  • Plasma disruptions
  • Runaway electron physics
  • Radiofrequency (RF) physics

Come and join us on the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) programme, which is an exciting programme that aims to demonstrate fusion as a net-zero carbon energy source.


Location
Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK

Number of researchers
6

How to apply
Apply online at www.ccfe.ukaea.uk/physicist-opportunities

Closing date
All year round

Contact
Tel +44 (0)1235 528822
E-mail recruitment@ukaea.uk
https://ccfe.ukaea.uk

Company info
Website
Telephone
+44 (0)1235 528822
Location
Culham Science Centre
Abingdon
OX14 3DB
GB

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