Robotics Research Engineer

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 groundbreaking 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

Job Description

The salary for this role is £42,858 (inclusive of a Specialist Allowance). Onsite working is expected for 3 days a week, however, we actively support requests for flexible working. 

This role can be 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

The UKAEA Robotics Research and Technology Team is part of the Robotics Repurposing and Decommissioning Directorate.  It delivers state-of-the-art and innovation for UKAEA in the field of robotics and AI.  Advances in the field are essential to the maintenance and operation of future fusion reactors.  First established in 2016, the diverse and talented team of 20 has had a dedicated core focus since 2022.  They contribute research and technology to projects in fusion-energy, nuclear decommissioning, and adjacent applications (including Space).  With a strong collaboration focus, this role is to supplement core delivery capability in identified skill areas. 
 
As a Robotics Research Engineer you will carry out research to meet project needs and align with core themes.  The work will include: 

• reviewing the existing state-of-the-art,
• proposing valuable research topics, 
• planning research activities, 
• conducting theoretical and experimental research, 
• reporting results to internal standards, writing academic papers, 
• supervising PhD students, 
• engaging with other research organisations

Qualifications

Essential:

• Degree in a scientific, engineering, or technical subject or equivalent knowledge and experience
• Experience in Research Engineering or post-graduate degree
• Broad understanding of Robotics with experience in one of more of the following areas:
  Manufacturing processes deployable by robots (laser cleaning, cutting, additive manufacturing, surface preparation, inspection);
  Radiation hardening technologies / Radiation tolerant electronics;
  ML / AI / Digital Infrastructure;
  Mechanical systems, sensing / non-destructive testing, actuation mechanisms;
  Dynamic modelling and systems identification;
  Control theory;
  Intelligent control for manipulation or position control. 
• Understanding of Engineering design process principles and application
• Experience of developing high-quality software used in relevant applications
• Experience of applying, adapting, and promoting good development practices throughout the entire research lifecycle 
• Appetite and ability to research and learn about new technologies and domains and to judge how to apply and share this knowledge

Desirable:

• Postgraduate research degree (i.e., PhD).
• Experience of supervising and mentoring others in a research project context.
• Established publication record.

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 who want to help us achieve our mission.  We are under-represented from some groups and so want to encourage applications in particular from women in STEM, people from Black British Caribbean and African backgrounds and from Pakistani and Bangladeshi British backgrounds. Our Executive team, supported by our 'Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion' (EDI) and Wellbeing and our EDI Networks actively promote Inclusion and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

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.