Job Description
Driving Digital Innovation for Fusion Energy: A Scientific Leadership Opportunity:
UK Industrial Fusion Solutions (UKIFS) is leading the UK’s boldest scientific and engineering mission: to deliver clean, abundant, and inherently safe fusion energy. Our flagship STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) programme aims to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant by 2040, establishing a pathway to commercial fusion power. At the heart of this mission lies a digital challenge—one that demands cutting-edge computational science and engineering to accelerate design, reduce risk, and enable real-time control of the fusion plasma.
We are seeking an internationally recognised Manager of Computational Science and Engineering Research to lead a newly established, strategically critical programme of research. Reporting directly to the Director for Science and Technology, you will shape and deliver a decadal vision for how advances in high-performance computing, simulation, and AI can be harnessed to support the STEP mission. You will work in close partnership with UKAEA, our Whole Plant Partners, and the Engineering Delivery Directorate to ensure that STEP benefits from the most advanced computational tools and techniques available, well placed to exploit future innovations in computational science and engineering.
This is a rare opportunity to lead a world-class, delivery-driven research programme that will deliver the innovations required to inform a robust digital backbone of the UK’s fusion future.
Key Focus: Computational Science and Engineering Research (CSER)
Your programme will:
* Advance Simulation Capabilities: Develop scalable, high-fidelity models to predict plasma and materials behaviour in fusion conditions.
* Enable Engineering Integration: Support the creation of “Virtual STEP”—a digital twin of the prototype plant for design, qualification, and operation.
* Leverage Emerging Technologies: Harness AI, machine learning, and next-generation hardware to accelerate innovation and reduce technical risk.
Key Accountabilities:
Accountability 1: Strategic Programme Leadership
* Define and deliver a decadal roadmap for computational science and engineering research aligned with STEP’s delivery needs.
* Identify high-impact areas where simulation can reduce risk, optimise design, and support regulatory compliance.
* Lead a cross-organisational team spanning UKAEA, industrial partners, and academia.
Accountability 2: Technical Innovation & Integration
* Support the development of Virtual STEP through innovations in surrogate modelling, uncertainty quantification, and integrated simulation frameworks.
* Collaborate with plasma and materials science leads to ensure computational tools meet their evolving needs.
* Support the Head of Engineering – Computing, Modelling and Simulation to ensure interoperability and strategic alignment.
Accountability 3: Partnerships & Influence
* Act as the primary interface for computational research with UKAEA and future Engineering and Construction Partners.
* Build a robust network of collaborators across academia, industry, and government.
* Promote a “one-team” culture across diverse partner organisations.
Accountability 4: Programme Management
* Define measurable targets that demonstrate continual benefit to STEP throughout design, construction, and operation.
* Develop and manage the programme budget, ensuring delivery to cost and schedule.
* Support workforce planning and growth of the team across partner organisations.
Accountability 5: Innovation & Economic Impact
* Foster a culture of innovation and responsible research.
* Manage intellectual property to maximise commercial value while supporting open collaboration.
* Encourage publication of patents and research outputs and explore cross-sector applications.
Accountability 6: Leadership & Culture
* Embody UKIFS values and leadership behaviours.
* Inspire and motivate multidisciplinary teams across multiple organisations.
* Promote a culture of psychological safety, inclusion, and professional development.
Qualifications
Essential Requirements
* PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.
* Proven leadership in high-performance computing for science or engineering.
* Deep understanding of emerging hardware (e.g. exascale, GPU, quantum) and their application to simulation.
* Expertise in multi-physics simulation and surrogate modelling (e.g. AI/ML for real-time control).
* Experience leading complex, cross-organisational research programmes.
* Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Demonstrated commitment to responsible innovation and safety standards.
Beneficial Experience
* Research experience in a commercial environment.
* Understanding of fusion energy R&D challenges.
* Leadership within large, delivery-driven projects.
* Experience with IP generation and digital design methodologies.
This is a unique opportunity to shape the digital future of fusion energy and lead a programme that will have lasting scientific, technological, and societal impact. Join us in delivering a legacy of sustainable, secure, and commercially viable fusion power.
Additional Information
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly women in STEM and individuals from British black and ethnic minority backgrounds, and individuals 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 talent@ukifs.uk 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.
As we work towards our mission and goals, guided by our principles, STEP has six behaviours that are intended to capture the spirit of how we work:
* We champion safety
* We all matter
* We act as one
* We embrace change
* We are pioneering
* We deliver
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: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/criminal-records-checks-for-overseas-applicants 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.