Head of Plasma Sensor and Control Unit

Location: Culham, England, gb

Company Description

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

What to expect in our recruitment process:
For a step-by-step overview of how we hire from application to offer please see our Recruitment Process page: careers.ukaea.uk/join-us/recruitment-process

Job Description

The salary for this role is £94,758 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days each week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. 

This role is based at the following site: Culham, Oxfordshire 

This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions and possibly a search of open source data. 

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 Head of Plasma Sensor and Control Unit, you will play a pivotal role in providing leadership for and management of the Plasma Sensors and Control Unit to ensure effective support to the Plasma Science and Fusion Operations Division and the delivery of its associated programmes.

You will also set the delivery of the Unit’s activities to meet current and future goals of the Division and UKAEA in general, and support UKAEA strategy as a key member of senior leadership team of the division.

Key Responsibilities:

• To lead, manage and develop the Plasma Sensors and Control Unit ensuring that the staffing level and skills within the Unit are sufficient to meet current and future programme needs. Ensure effective succession plans are in place to mitigate risk to programme delivery.
• Ensure full application of the APS process for employees, focusing on performance and the continuous development of employees to enhance the capability of the organisation and progress careers where possible/effective. Ensure that the programmatic goals of the Plasma Science and Fusion Operations Division are cascaded down through relevant and SMART objectives. Ensure that special plans are in place for high achievers and for poor performers.
• Plan ahead for and allocate resources to contribute effectively to the Plasma Science and Fusion Operations projects following formal project management processes. Effective direct delivery of or contribution to matrixed delivery of projects.
• Deliver department assigned commitments of quality, cost and schedule ensuring work is undertaken efficiently and effectively.
• As part of the Plasma Science and Fusion Operations leadership team, work with the Director and the other Division senior Leaders to develop the agreed capability and capacity strategy, implementing as appropriate.
• Together with the relevant Programme Leaders, assist in developing a long-term strategy for the implementation and delivery of the Plasma Science and Fusion Operations Division goals and objectives associated with diagnostics and control work, identify growth opportunities which enhance the Unit’s ability attract employees into this field.
• Perform reporting at relevant meetings progress against milestones, changes, exceptions, and other key performance indicators.
• Ensure the Unit’s QSHE culture and working practices are in alignment with the UKAEA’s and legal requirements/processes and take the lead in identifying and promulgating efficient and effective approaches to safety within the Unit.
• Provide effective communications to all the people directly and indirectly involved with the Unit including staff aligned from other Units.
• Ensure that technical records and procedures are documented and filed so that personal know-how is captured, and audit trails are safeguarded.
• Represent the Plasma Sensors and Control Unit, play a proactive role on a wide range of UKAEA committees, and take a proactive role in other initiatives when appropriate (e.g. Athena SWAN, Mentoring, Job Evaluation).
• Role model for good leadership to develop future leaders in UKAEA. Ensure a culture of inclusivity and diversity to meet UKAEA expectations.
• Effectively manage Plasma Sensors and Control Unit information assets.

Qualifications

• Education to PhD or equivalent in a physics or engineering related discipline.
• Demonstrable experience and broad understanding of fusion work across a wide range of disciplines, particularly fusion diagnostics, data acquisition and control; proved experience and deep understanding of working within the international fusion programme.
• Project Management knowledge including leading successful large scale. 
• Ability to manage, coordinate, motivate and supervise the work of scientists, engineers and PhD students.
• Ability to communicate thoughts clearly and concisely in both written and verbal forms, including to large audiences.
• Ability to resolve conflicts.
• Ability to command the respect of and influence a wide range of internal colleagues and external scientific collaborators is essential, including at Director level.
• Knowledge of safety, environmental and quality issues relating to fusion research is highly desirable.

Additional Information

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

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit.

UK Atomic Energy Authority is committed to being accessible. Please email [email protected] 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.  

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