Radiation Shielding Team Leader /Radiation Protection

Job Title: Radiation Shielding Team Leader

Location: Milton Park, Abingdon (OX14)

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Full Time, Permanent

The Company aims to accelerate the development of fusion energy by combining two emerging technologies - spherical tokamaks and high-temperature superconductors.

The Company was originally established in 2009 to design and develop small Spherical Tokamaks and compact fusion reactors for a range of applications. Since then, the strategy has evolved to prioritise building a pilot plant to exceed fusion energy breakeven.

The Role:

The commercialisation of fusion requires that a number of fascinating technical challenges are met. One of these is radiation shielding. The size, and performance, of a spherical tokamak is strongly dependent on reducing the thickness of the shield that protects the superconducting coils from the 14 fusion neutrons. Provision of a bio-shield is also essential.

They are looking for a team leader to manage a combination of in house and external resource to model and validate designs of novel radiation shields to the specific needs of spherical tokamaks. They will also have responsibility for bio-shield engineering.

Main Responsibilities:

• Build, and provide leadership for, the radiation shielding team
• Work with the Research and Technology director, other R&T group team leaders, and the tokamak physics team to develop shield functional specifications
• Identify a variety of concepts spanning novel to relatively mature technology that might meet these specifications
• Use sound scientific and engineering practice to identify and mitigate the technology gaps associated with these concepts
• Deploy numerical modelling and experimental validation as appropriate
• Work with other team leaders to select the final candidates for incorporation into protype reactors

Contacts and Communication

• Reports to the Research and Technology Director
• Responsible for Radiation Shielding group line management
• Responsible for the management of collaborations with academic and commercial organisations

Personal Skills and Attributes:

• At least three years of technical team leadership experience
• Ability to communicate effectively with peers and senior management
• Sufficient general technical knowledge to translate scientific objectives into sound engineering practice
• In depth knowledge of radiation shielding
• Knowledge of current manufacturing methods and materials
• Demonstrated track record of practical and innovative engineering in a technology development environment
• Experience with technical risk assessment
• Demonstrate a clear understanding of the health & safety requirements relevant to the role
• Highly motivated to deliver against challenging objectives in a compressed timescale
• Ability to contribute effectively in a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists
• Willingness to learn new techniques and technologies
• Organized approach to complex problems
• Ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
• Proactive attitude
• Self-starting and self-reliant
• Ability to devise and operate effective project schedules
• Creativity and innovation

Key Requirements:

Essential:

• Degree in a physical science
• PhD in a physical science, or equivalent industrial experience
• Extensive experience of technical team leadership
• In depth knowledge of radiation shielding
• Good general technical knowledge
• High power density thermal management
• Good communicator with team and senior management
• Demonstrated experience in a comparable environment
• Evidence of product or preferably technology development in a high-tech industry

Desirable:

• Project management qualifications
• Materials science and engineering
• Knowledge of tokamak radiation shielding, especially regarding high energy neutrons

Benefits:

• 25 Days Holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Company Pension scheme: Company contribution of 5% of salary after 3 months' service
• Eligible for company share option scheme after one years' service
• Company bonus scheme, discretionary, dependent on performance
• Private medical insurance after 3 months' service
• Childcare voucher scheme

Please click the APPLY button to send your CV and Cover Letter for the role.

Candidates with the experience or relevant job titles of: Radiation Protection Engineer, Health and Safety Supervisor, Radiation Shielding, Radiation Physical Barriers Technician, Nuclear Radiation Protection Engineer.