"Plutonium Ceramics Research Associate/Fellow"

The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) is seeking to appoint a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow within the newly established Plutonium Ceramics Academic Hub at the Universities of Manchester and Sheffield (PUMaS) funded by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).

As a member of the PUMaS Hub you will be based within state-of-the-art facilities in the NFCE and the Henry Royce Institute, the UKs center for advanced materials science, giving access to leading materials science and engineering techniques.

You will focus on powder processing, fabrication, characterisation and radiation testing of mixed oxide ceramics using both surrogate and active materials, utilizing dedicated glovebox facilities. You will use advanced characterisation techniques to relate manufacturing processes to performance to underpin development of wasteforms specifications, working closely with partners at University of Sheffield on other ceramic wasteform candidates.

You will also be a key member of the supervisory team of the PhD student cohorts, supporting their training and development in technical and soft skills. In addition, you will also work closely with industry partners within NDA and wider NDA group/supply chain to build positive relationships and develop independent research projects with wider industry and academic partners.

As this role involves research at a postgraduate level, applicants who are not an EEA national or a national of an exempt country and who will require sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route of the UK Visas and Immigration’s (UKVI) Points Based System in order to take up the role, will be required to apply for an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) Certificate and will need to obtain this prior to making any official visa application UKVI.

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers

As an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.

Our University is positive about flexible working – you can find out more here.

Hybrid working arrangements may be considered.