Materials Irradiation Science & Technology Manager - UKIFS

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  • Retford, Nottinghamshire
  • £77,239 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 16 days ago
Company DescriptionThe UK Government has established UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) Ltd , a subsidiary of UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), to lead the charge in delivering fusion energy through design and delivery of the Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production (STEP) prototype fusion plant. UKIFS is establishing itself, setting up the company, attracting talent, engaging with industry, developing a supply chain, and planning and constructing of the STEP prototype.Fusion energy, crucial for combating climate change and ensuring energy independence, is expected to be commercially viable by mid-century. The UK, led by UKIFS, aims for a prototype fusion plant, targeting first operations around 2040. UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. will lead delivery, collaborating with industrial partners and building a fusion supply chain with an estimated global sector value of £7tn per year. Join UKIFS and the STEP programme to be involved in this ground breaking journey.As an employee of UKIFS, 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 being fully inclusive
A full list of our benefits can be found hereThe salary for this role is £77,239 (inclusive of Specialist Allowance) + excellent benefits including outstanding pensionEmployees of UKIFS can be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire, and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.For more information on UKIFS, visit:Please Note - This role will close on 2nd Sept 2025Job DescriptionPioneering Materials Science for Fusion Energy: A Leadership Opportunity in MIST.UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is leading the delivery of clean, abundant, and inherently safe fusion energy, driving scientific and technological advances which feed into an integrated fusion pilot plant design activity while realising economic benefits all along the pathway to demonstrating commercial viability.We are seeking a visionary and specialist Materials Irradiation Science and Technology Manager (MIST) to join our Science and Technology Directorate. Reporting to the Head of Materials Science and Technology, you will establish yourself in this pivotal scientific leadership role, ensuring a coordinated and optimised materials irradiation programme to directly inform the design and operational parameters of the STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) and the subsequent commercial fusion power plants.As the MIST Manager, you will work across the STEP programme to advise, to coordinate and direct access to materials irradiation campaigns on facilities around the world but also including the innovative LIBRTI facility being developed in the UK. Your responsibility involves ensuring access to cutting-edge post-irradiation examination (PIE) capabilities, maximising the knowledge gained from irradiations. You will serve as the primary scientific authority for STEP's irradiation strategy, supporting the wider science and engineering teams across UKIFS, UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and our future Engineering/Construction Partners to deliver a viable STEP Prototype Plant (SPP) design.Key Accountabilities:
  • Lead the MIST Programme: Coordinate and direct research campaigns across global irradiation facilities (including neutron sources, test reactors, and ion accelerators), in support of the research requirements of the wider STEP design team. Manage the planning and experimental design for STEP's scientific exploitation of the UK's LIBRTI facility. Oversee advanced materials analysis (mechanical, microscopy, spectroscopy, thermal) and support the integration of derived solutions into the STEP component design.
  • Build Strategic Scientific Partnerships: Establish and cultivate strong working relationships with operators of key international irradiation facilities, UKAEA, and future Engineering/Construction Partners. Identify and facilitate opportunities for scientific collaboration with the private sector and leading universities.
  • Drive Programme Delivery & Strategic Vision: Develop and own the decadal materials irradiation strategy for STEP, ensuring its alignment with budgetary constraints and SPP design timelines. Manage programme budgets and forecasts, and ensure critical scientific milestones are achieved.
  • Manage Economic Benefit & Innovation: Foster a culture of scientific innovation and discovery. Drive the translation of research and development outputs into long-term commercial and economic value, strategically managing intellectual property, championing patent publications, and actively identifying early commercial opportunities.
  • Disseminate Research Outcomes: Provide critical technical updates and reports to internal leadership (Executive Committee, STEP Programme Board) and external stakeholders (e.g., Fusion Technical Advisory Group, government reporting). Encourage and facilitate the publication of research results in top-tier peer-reviewed journals and through high-impact presentations at international conferences, solidifying UKIFS's global scientific reputation while aligning with our commercial interests.
  • Embody Scientific Leadership: Lead by example, fostering a positive, inclusive, and collaborative team environment that champions responsible research and innovation. Make informed, ethical, and effective decisions, delivering the programme objectives through scientific ambition.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a critical scientific discipline at the heart of a world-changing energy initiative, contributing your expertise to a legacy of sustainable power.QualificationsEssential Skills & Experience:
  • PhD in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Chemistry) or equivalent demonstrable research leadership experience.
  • Proven hands-on experience with materials irradiation facilities and analysis, preferably in an industrial or applied research environment.
  • Demonstrable experience and research excellence in collaborative R&D teams, evidenced through high-impact publications and other research outputs, delivering under technical and time constraints.
  • A comprehensive understanding of radiation safety standards and materials handling protocols.
  • Demonstrable ability to set strategic scientific direction, inspire, and motivate highly skilled research teams.
  • Demonstrable capability to initiate and develop a complex technical programme.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders (scientific, industrial, academic).
  • Demonstrable commitment to your team, valuing diversity, fostering an inclusive environment, identifying opportunities for scientific and personal development, and respecting their views and expertise.
  • Proven ability to anticipate, manage and resolve scientific and interpersonal conflict while fostering collaboration.
  • Outstanding communication skills: ability to influence at all levels, formulate coherent scientific arguments, articulate complex ideas clearly, listen actively, and respond appropriately.
  • Demonstrable commitment to responsible and ethical innovation, and to working in compliance with modern safety, health, environment, and quality assurance standards.
Beneficial Skills & Experience:
  • 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 (e.g., writing patents, technology disclosures).
  • Familiarity with approaches related to 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.
Additional InformationWe 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: If 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 .

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