Head of Materials Science & Technology - UKIFS

Pioneering Fusion Energy Solutions: A Scientific Leadership Opportunity in Fusion Materials

UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is spearheading the global scientific and technological advancements critical to realising clean abundant and inherently safe fusion energy. Our flagship STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme demands an integration of science technology and engineering to deliver the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) which will deliver net electrical power to the grid. Materials science and technology research is at the heart of our design activity demanding innovative approaches to identify and deliver the real world materials and associated manufacturing solutions required for a viable SPP.

We are seeking an eminent Head of Materials Science and Technology to lead a newly formed strategically significant Division. Reporting directly to the Director for Science and Technology you will work across UKIFSs design activity leading a research programme in partnership with UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and our Engineering Partner organisations towards the recommendation delivery and qualification of viable materials. You will be instrumental in shaping the materials landscape to meet the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) design requirements and the subsequent commercial fusion power plant fleet beyond. 

You will provide the strategic and high level leadership for three technical research areas that sit within Materials Science and Technology each of which will have its own specialised technical lead:

1. Design by Fundamentals (DbF): Pioneering the integration of carefully designed experiments with fundamental theory and simulation to progressively build from microscale models towards the macroscale to deliver a validated predictive capability for fusion materials data that informs an innovative rigorous pathway to accelerated qualification.
2. Materials Irradiation Science and Technology (MIST): An experimental irradiation and analysis programme utilising world-class irradiation facilities such as LIBRTI in the UK and international neutron test reactors and ion beam accelerators as well as post-irradiation analysis facilities such as those available at the Materials Research Facility at Culham and in the academic sector.
3. Emerging Materials and Manufacturing Applications (EMMA): This is a new programme you will establish identifying and developing novel materials and manufacturing processes that unlock new design options to further enhance the commercial attractiveness of the First of a Kind plant beyond SPP.

You will be the primary scientific interface for the STEP Materials Science and Technology research programme with external partners forging robust high-level relationships with leading industrial consortia academic institutions and international research laboratories. You will operate within a dynamic commercially-driven environment adeptly navigating the inherent scientific and technical uncertainties of our pioneering technological endeavour. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team you will critically prioritise research areas demonstrating scientific agility and integrated problem-solving to achieve optimal holistic design solutions.

Key Accountabilities:

• Strategic Programme Leadership: Develop and lead the UKIFS materials science and technology research strategy providing the strategic direction for the programme in support of the delivery of the SPP on a commercial pathway to fusion energy.
• Scientific Rigour & Delivery: Represent materials science and technology as the subject matter expert in high-level design reviews oversee complex external research collaborations and contracts and proactively identify/mitigate technical and strategic risks.
• Innovation & Economic Impact: Cultivate a culture of world-class scientific discovery. Drive the translation of research outputs into commercial and economic benefit actively managing intellectual property championing patent publications and fostering a robust partnership network.
• Global Dissemination: Ensure technical updates are delivered to internal leadership. Encourage and facilitate the publication of groundbreaking research results in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and through high-impact presentations at international conferences solidifying UKIFSs global scientific reputation while protecting UKIFS commercial and economic interests.
• Strategic Partnerships: Build and sustain a one-team culture with UKAEA and our future Partners. Establish the necessary relationships with leading universities and key international laboratories integrating diverse expertise to accelerate the STEP mission.
• Exemplary Leadership: Embody a leadership mindset that fosters a positive inclusive and collaborative team environment championing responsible research and innovation. Lead by example making informed ethical decisions that drive scientific ambition to meet organisational goals.

This is a rare opportunity to lead a critical scientific programme at the heart of a world-changing energy initiative contributing your expertise to a legacy of sustainable fusion power.

Qualifications :

Essential:

• Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Materials Science Nuclear Engineering Physics Chemistry) or equivalent demonstrable research leadership experience.
• An internationally recognised track record of fusion-relevant materials science research delivery evidenced through high-impact publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or patents.
• Exceptional strategic and innovative scientific thinking with a proven ability to define and drive research agendas.
• Demonstrable ability to set strategic scientific direction inspire and motivate large multidisciplinary research teams (10 people).
• Outstanding communication skills capable of influencing at all levels formulating coherent scientific arguments articulating complex ideas clearly and actively listening.
• An appreciation of the need for scientific compromises when supporting delivery-led design optimisation within a diverse complex and evolving programme.
• An agile and adaptive approach to planning for and responding to the dynamic nature of pioneering research.
• Demonstrable commitment to responsible research and ethical innovation and to working in compliance with modern safety health environment and quality assurance standards.
• Proven ability to foster an inclusive working environment that values diverse perspectives and to manage conflict constructively.

Beneficial:

• Direct research experience with fusion-relevant materials.
• Significant research experience within a commercial or industrial environment.
• Extensive experience working in multi-disciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.
• Experience in intellectual property generation and its strategic management.
• Familiarity with design for multiple attributes (e.g. reliability maintainability manufacture disposal).
• Experience in the development or interpretation of design codes for novel materials in harsh environments.
• Membership of relevant learned societies.

Additional Information :

We welcome applications from under-represented groups particularly women in STEM and  individuals from British black and other ethnic minority backgrounds and people with disabilities. 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 organisation. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success. 

UKIFS is committed to being accessible. Please email  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.  

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) including the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.  Whilst not required at this time there is a possibility of an SC Clearance being required in the future.  If a candidate already holds an SC clearance that clearance can be transferred to UKIFS.

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 following link for information on criminal records checks: 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.  

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.  We may consider your application for future positions or similar positions within the organisation.

We have a number of exceptional opportunities available at the moment to view them all please visit Careers - STEP.