Summary
1. Work within specified research grant: UKAEA Chair project in Birmingham, led by Prof. Enrique Jimenez-Melero, in support of the steel research activities at the Materials Business Unit of the UK Atomic Energy Authority
2. Operate within area of specialism (. design and realization of targeted ion irradiation experiments, benchmarking with ongoing neutron irradiation campaigns where relevant and depending on material availability, and analyse the radiation damage effects and potential impact on material performance)
3. Analyse and interpret research findings and results, and present those at regular progress meetings with relevant UKAEA staff, and at relevant scientific conferences related to radiation science, steel metallurgy and/or fusion materials research
4. Contribute to writing grant proposals and generating funding
5. Contribute to licensing or spin out deals with demonstrated commercial success (such as revenues, asset or company sales, IP generated) and/or public understanding of the nuclear fusion energy and technologies
Main Duties
The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.
6. Design and perform targeted irradiation experiments of fusion-relevant austenitic stainless steels using intense ion beams produced by linear accelerator and cyclotron sources
7. Measure by gamma spectroscopy, the isotope generation by nuclear reactions between the ion beam and the constituents of the austenitic steel, and predict potential sample activations
8. Characterize by analytical electron microscopy, and if needed also by small-angle neutron scattering, and mechanical testing of virgin and irradiated steels, including those that may have become radio-active as a consequence of ion irradiation
9. Liaise with other facilities and groups at national and international level involved in (ion or neutron) irradiation campaigns of nuclear (metallic) materials
10. Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of a mentor if required
11. Disseminate the results at progress meetings of the Materials Business Unit at UKAEA and at relevant scientific events, and also in the form of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals of high impact in the field
12. Contribute to writing bids for research funding
13. Analyse and interpret data
14. Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
15. Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc
16. Supervise students on research related work and provide guidance to PhD students where appropriate to the discipline
17. Contribute to developing new models, techniques and methods
18. Undertake management/administration arising from research
19. Contribute to Departmental/School research-related activities and research-related administration
20. Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader
21. Collect research data; this may be through a variety of research methods, such as scientific experimentation, literature reviews, and research interviews
22. Present research outputs, including drafting academic publications or parts thereof, for example at seminars and as posters
23. Provide guidance, as required, to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the research
24. Deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines
25. Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture
Person Specification
26. First degree in area of specialism and normally, a higher degree relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications, or be close to completion
27. Awareness of the basics of fusion energy generation, emerging technologies and related challenges in structural materials for fusion environments
28. Knowledge of physical metallurgy of steels, including stainless steels
29. Awareness of thermo-mechanical processing of metallic materials
30. Expertise in using radiation sources to irradiate nuclear materials in simulated reactor conditions
31. Use of advanced characterization tools to assess radiation damage in metallic materials, esp. analytical electron microscopy
32. Experience in mechanical testing of materials, and knowledge of mechanical behaviour of metallic materials
33. Familiarization with the principles of radiation protection, and the handling and use of radiation sources for research purposes incl. activated materials
34. Good interpersonal skills to work effectively with a wide range of people as part of a multi-disciplinary/multi-partner team
35. Ability to work independently and pro-actively with minimal direction and supervision, with efficient planning and prioritising the own workload to meet deliverables and other project deadlines
36. A commitment to safe working practices
37. High level analytical capability
38. Ability to communicate complex information clearly
39. Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods and ability to contribute to developing new ones
40. Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
41. Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
42. Ability to contribute to the planning and organising of the research programme and/or specific research project
43. Ability to co-ordinate own work with others to avoid conflict or duplication of effort
44. Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly