Plasma Control & Sensor System Manager

# Plasma Control & Sensor System ManagerElectrical EngineeringPhysics### Job DetailsLocationRetford, United KingdomEmployment TypeFull-timeSalary£73kLevelLeadershipPosted## 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 inclusiveThe salary for this role is £73,190 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension*.* This position is eligible for an allowance of £7,900 annually. The closing date to apply for this position is the 31st of May. A full list of our benefits can be found here **https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/** For more information on UKIFS, visit: https://careers.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/download/UKIFS\_CandidateRecruitmentPack.pdfThis position is to be based at West Burton, Nottinghamshire and onsite working is expected for 3 days each week.For more information on UKIFS, visit:## Job DescriptionFusion energy offers the potential for significant quantities of low-carbon, inherently safe, abundantly fuelled, baseload energy, supporting sustainable climate action and energy independence. While the technical challenge remains high, confidence is increasing, and the rewards of realising fusion are almost incalculable. Anticipated to come online for commercial purposes in the middle of this century, fusion offers a viable means to sustainable net zero in the UK and globally, as well as to increased energy security. The UK is currently a world leader in fusion research and development and in the drive to realise commercially viable energy from fusion, a sector with an estimated value of £tns per year. STEP (Spherical Tokamak for Energy Production) is the UK’s flagship national programme to deliver a prototype fusion energy plant, targeting 2040, and a path to commercial viability of fusion. STEP is deliberately bold and ambitious and seeks people who want to be part of a world-changing endeavour and who have credible and relevant experiencing in delivery. STEP is currently led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, which has breadth and depth of expertise in fusion science, engineering and operations built over decades. Over the next year, leadership will transition to a new Company, UK Industrial Fusion Solutions Ltd. (UKIFS) to focus on the delivery of the prototype and, in so doing, the development of a fusion supply chain. From the next government investment gate, UKIFS will lead a collaborative team of industrial Whole Plant Partners who bring expertise in engineering and construction, plus UKAEA who will remain as strategic Partner providing fusion expertise.**The Role:**Reporting to the Head of Plasma Development (HoPD) you will lead the research and development needed to achieve robust control of the STEP plasma solution. In your area you will be responsible for a team of 15 – 25 full term equivalents in a matrixed organisation. Providing world-class expertise in the area of plasma control and associated sensor systems, you will develop the systems required for controllable plasma scenarios with acceptable disruption handling for the STEP Prototype and subsequent Commercial Reactor designs. Your integrated control solutions will inform the identification of integrated, high performance scenarios for fusion plasmas consistent with STEP power plant design studies.In this role, you would be expected to:* Engage with the wider UK plasma science programme of UKAEA, universities and international collaborators (where appropriate) to identify innovative solutions for the STEP plasma control and sensor systems (diagnostics) consistent with the plant and reactor subsystems throughout the phases of the STEP programme.* Partner with industry where there is complementary capability.* Engage with the Design Authority and Engineering Delivery teams to ensure compatibility with overall concept design, operational and maintenance strategy.* Engage with national and international partners hosting tokamak and other plasma or technical facilities to reduce the uncertainty in the plasma control and sensor system solution for STEP.* Identify areas of synergy with the ITER, EU DEMO and other fusion power plant programmes as well as activities outside the STEP programme in the Fusion and Engineering partners, leveraging international funding where appropriate.* Identify opportunities to prototype and test aspects of the plasma control system.The role is under the leadership of the Head of Plasma Development to drive the development of the plasma control schemas and sensor systems for robust and safe plasma operation for STEP as part of the wider Science and Technology, Engineering Delivery and Integrated Project Teams. The design will inform, and be informed by, the research carried out in the R&D workstreams. Close collaboration with the Whole Plant Analysis and the Integrated Project teams will ensure a coherent, self-consistent overall design of the STEP Concept. International collaborations in areas of mutual interest will be identified and encouraged.**Accountabilities will include:****Drive the STEP plasma control development towards robust and safe plasma operations to achieve the STEP programme objectives.*** Provide the leadership to establish a world-class team of control experts from across the UKAEA Fusion Partner and industry.* Work at the forefront of plasma control research to develop the control schemas required for robust and safe plasma operation of STEP and projections to a commercial fusion power plant.* Inform the requirements for actuators, identifying design solutions when they are additional to the planned plant design (e.g. beyond heating, current drive and fuelling systems)* Work with the Plasma Modelling and Validation manager and the wider STEP team to embed plasma control into a virtual representation of STEP including plasma control fit for plasma pulse verification prior to operation.* Enhance your team’s capabilities by working with universities, fusion laboratories and industry to develop innovative plasma control solutions.* Lead the establishment of an integrated decision route map to identify options and converge the design of the plasma control solution, defining performance requirements for the supporting actuator and sensor systems.* Identify international collaboration opportunities in areas of plasma control development, exploiting #J-18808-Ljbffr