"Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Dislocation modelling for fusion energy"

We are seeking a full-time PDRA to join the Solid Mechanics and Materials Engineering group at the Department of Engineering Science (central Oxford). The post is funded by UKAEA and the Royal Academy of Engineering and is fixed-term for 5 months.

You will join the design by fundamentals team, developing material models to guide fusion reactor design. You will be responsible for performing discrete dislocation plasticity simulations and using insight gained to validate and refine crystal plasticity and continuum scale models where appropriate.

You should possess a PhD (or near completion) in discrete dislocation plasticity modelling of metals and a good knowledge of dislocation plasticity and solid mechanics. Fortran coding experience and knowledge of Abaqus, Fortran user subroutines and crystal plasticity would be useful but not essential as training will be provided.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof. Ed Tarleton (edmund.tarleton@eng.ox.ac.uk).

For more information about working at the Department, see www.eng.ox.ac.uk/about/work-with-us/.

Only online applications received before midday on 25 February 2026 can be considered. You will be required to upload a covering letter/supporting statement, including a brief statement of research interests (describing how past experience and future plans fit with the advertised position), CV and the details of two referees as part of your online application.

The Department holds an Athena Swan Bronze award, highlighting its commitment to promoting women in Science, Engineering and Technology.

Keywords: Discrete dislocation plasticity, crystal plasticity, UMAT, Abaqus, modelling