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. 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.

H3AT (Hydrogen-3 Advanced Technology)  is a business unit of UKAEA focused on addressing the science and technological challenges associated with the primary use of tritium for fuelling first-generation fusion reactors and the secondary applications of tritium technologies beyond fusion. It is the UK’s leading authority on tritium processing, distribution, storage, recycling and disposal.  

Our new technology centre will provide world-leading facilities to research and carry out testing of tritium technologies. These will be invaluable in advancing the long-term fuel cycle requirements to process, store and recycle tritium for present and next generation fusion reactors.  

H3AT also serves the non-fusion sectors within the wider tritium economy where our tritium technologies have also been transferred: the fission industry and companies outside the nuclear sector that are tritium product vendors. 

The H3AT business unit is structured to enable us to work on tritium R&D programmes and safely deliver tritium operations to support the Joint European Torus (JET). Our personnel work across multiple programmes, projects and work packages.

Who are we looking for?

H3AT’s Tritium Innovation Unit is the UKAEA’s lead in design, development and implementation of Tritium research and development programmes. The Unit’s focus is to develop economic benefits and grow UKAEA’s existing Tritium research programme. This involves developing commercial and scientific opportunities across Fusion and wider Tritium markets, including STEP, ITER and EUROfusion. As the Tritium Innovation Unit Head you will be responsible for these activities on behalf of UKAEA.

This is a business-critical position responsible for; implementing strategic leadership in Tritium R&D, providing technical leadership in Tritium Engineering and Science activities, enhancing the UKAEA’s profile as a leader in Tritium technology development, and developing commercial opportunities (in conjunction with the H3AT Business Development Partner) with industry and ITER 

You’ll also be involved in the technical assessment and delivery of contracts for work in both fission and fusion. Which includes discussions directly with customers e.g., ITER and other major industrial partners, both national and international.

What you will be responsible for?

Strategic Leadership

• Lead the development and delivery of UKAEA’s Tritium Research & Development strategy in collaboration with the Programme Area Manager.
• Establish and manage collaboration agreements with UK and National partners (i.e., ITER, Eurofusion etc).
• Manage and develop the delivery of an international Tritium research programme, both UKAEA’s contribution and coordination of other Research Units.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical problem-solving expertise to internal groups and commercial projects.
• Collaborate with UKAEA JET decommissioning and repurposing programme to optimise the tritium technology opportunities from the decommissioning of JET.
• Promote technical knowledge transfer through creating and engagement with the activities such as the internal Tritium Technical Forum meetings and representing UKAEA at conferences, review panels, committees, etc.

Safety Leadership and Management

• Manage the safe delivery of a considered and inclusive Tritium R&D portfolio.
• Define and implement a positive safety culture, building strategies and policies affecting the entire diverse workforce involved with tritium activities.
• Oversee the development of credible and safe working practices in Tritium laboratories.

Essential Background:

• Degree or industry experience in Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
• Can demonstrate strategic planning and leadership to support business goals.
• Experience of working on major projects as a technical lead.
• Commercial awareness and evidence of delivering innovative solutions in related technologies.
• Experience of high hazard plant in a safety management or technical management capacity.
• Experience in leading large technical and scientific teams.
• A combination of these experiences: hazardous plant Operations, Engineering first-of-a-kind system and/or delivering Experimental campaigns

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 05/11/2022 . 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  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants. 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.