• 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 leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow's power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment. 
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, 
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive

The salary for this role is £67,023 (inclusive of a Market Premium Payment (MPP) and onsite working is expected for 5 days each week. 

This role is based in Rotherham, West Yorkshire.

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.

The Role

Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As Thermal Hydraulics Group Leader, you will play a pivotal role in providing expertise and leadership for the technical execution of strategy and projects in the area of Thermal Hydraulics for fusion. This includes development and ownership of technical strategy and plans that ensure high quality output, effective people management, and stakeholder engagement.

The Thermal Hydraulics Group within the Fusion Technology Division seeks to support the development of technologies for fusion through the interplay of simulation, testing, and validation of complex thermal hydraulic phenomena.  Particular emphasis within this role is placed upon the growth of capabilities in liquid metal technologies and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) phenomena, as well as advancing technologies for improving heat transfer under high heat flux conditions and assessing coupled fluids phenomena in extreme environments. In this role you will develop and foster relationships both internally and externally in order to leverage collaboration that drives progress towards solving fusion challenges.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement an effective strategy and plan to grow and resource a Thermal Hydraulics team that meets current, future programme, and collaboration needs, and provide regular reports/updates on progress to stakeholders.
• Provide technical and programmatic leadership in the area of thermal hydraulic technologies for fusion.
• Effective and timely management of staff, including, but not limited to: recruitment, resource allocation, knowledge transfer, welfare, setting measurable objectives and performance management, absence management, professional development, and coaching.
• Develop and implement organisational and technical improvements on design and performance of the technical output of the group.

Essential Requirements:

• Relevant degree or industry experience in a Scientific or Engineering discipline and willing or working towards chartership of a professional body.
• Demonstrated expertise in Thermal Hydraulics for nuclear systems, including simulation, testing, and validation.
• Experience in building and leading technical teams, line managing and coaching technical staff. 
• Demonstrated experience of developing and implementing group-level strategies and plans.
• Demonstrated experience in identifying funding and collaboration opportunities and writing successful research proposals.
• Experience of working on major projects as a technical lead.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to build effective relationships internally, externally and in a multinational community.

You'll ideally also have

• Demonstrated expertise in liquid metal technologies and MHD phenomena. 

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/

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

Please note that vacancies are generally advertised for 4 weeks but may close earlier if we receive a large number of applications.