By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today, at the same time there are sectors where electrification may not be the best route to decarbonisation. Are you interested in strategically contributing 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 plants with the aim of producing fusion energy which can bring electricity to the grid and enable hard to decarbonise sectors to achieve net zero emissions.

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

Who are we looking for?

The UKAEA are looking for a Fusion Engineering Business Strategist to help with the very unique challenge of defining the pathway to the commercialisation of fusion and shaping the direction of the STEP programme which sets out along this path. The role will provide a strategic perspective to the authority on activities which could advance the environment in which STEP is delivered.

Working closely with the rest of the commercial pathway team and the wider commercial and programme development pillar of the STEP programme, your work will enable an ecosystem in which STEP can succeed and ultimately faciliate the commercialisation of fusion within the context of a wider decarbonised energy system.

To do this you will bring an understanding of the key technologies which are required to deliver a commercial fusion reactor and ideas on their development trajectories.

You will provide input to the business case development for funding of the multibillion-pound STEP programme through to its completion targeted for 2040. You will be expected to produce technical reports and peer review the work of others and in return will get the opportunity to present your findings both within the programme and at a range of domestic and international fora.

What will you be responsible for?

• Defining the pathway (potential trajectories) to a commercial fusion reactor including Identifying the role that the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) can play, establish what else can be achieved and articulate what gap will remain and how it is foreseen that gap could be bridged.

• Reviewing and reporting opportunities for the STEP programme or the UKAEA to collaborate or capitalise on work going on elsewhere to further the goal of commercialisation of fusion, prioritising which opportunities will bring the most benefit 

• Leading the investigation of the best route to proving technologies for a commercial reactor without using SPP 

• Leading the evaluation of the anticipated natural resources required to build SPP and a future fleet of commercial fusion reactors. Identifying potential scarcity areas and making recommendations of how they could be overcome 

• Providing strategic oversight to targeted evaluation of STEP development areas to identify potential technologies which could readily be exploited in adjacent fields and beyond 

• Considering the supply chain development required to facilitate NOAK commercial fusion reactor design, build, operation, maintenance, and decommissioning 

• Maintaining an awareness of the state of the art in fusion related technology developments and innovations and applying latest best-practice internally. Where appropriate defining new areas to investigate in support of developing the commercial pathway

Essential skills, experience and competence required

• A track record of taking thought leadership roles in multi-disciplinary teams, developing complex systems
• Experience of interacting with experts across a range of engineering disciplines 

• Chartered Engineer, Business Analyst or equivalent
• A relevant STEM degree or equivalent

Desirable skills, experience and competence

• Business development experience
• Demonstrable ability to deal with ambiguity, presenting a clear and coherent vision
• Experience of emerging or disruptive technologies
• Ability to train, coach and develop indirect reports

What we offer

• A competitive salary  
• A culture committed to being fully inclusive, supported by a Being Inclusive Strategy and Inclusion Ambassadors 
• An Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, with a full calendar of health and wellbeing initiatives 
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies  
• Emergency leave (paid) 
• 30.5 days annual leave (including privilege days and 3 days between Christmas and New Year) increased with length of service 
• Wide range of career development opportunities (e.g professional registration, internal promotions, coaching and mentoring programme)  
• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme  
• Annual corporate bonus scheme  
• 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, (visible and hidden) and women. The Executive team with support from our EDI ‘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. We are easily accessible by car and are a 10-minute walk from Culham Railway Station in Oxfordshire.

Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on 5th November 2021 . 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 (convictions considered unspent under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) or will confirm that there are no such convictions.