Theoretical Physicist

AWE has a unique opportunity for a Theoretical Physicist to join our Design Physics Group. This exciting role will allow the successful candidate to split their time between being a Design Physicist and supporting the Computational Physics Group within AWE.

Location: Aldermaston, West Berkshire.

We are located between Reading and Basingstoke, with onsite parking.

Although flexible working is available, there are very limited opportunities to work from home - due to the classified nature of this role, it is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the vast majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston, once obtaining the appropriate clearance.

Salary:

Junior Physicists (recent graduates): £31,000 - £35,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Experienced Physicists (PHD or graduates with post-graduate experience): £38,000 - £46,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Closing Date: 1st May 2024

The Role:

This exciting role within Design Physics is split between two areas:

At least half of your time will be spent as a Design Physicist. Your task will be to underpin theoretical and modelling capabilities to enhance the understanding of the complex physical processes associated with nuclear weapon function, whilst applying them to the current and future product designs. You will use state of the art multi-physics codes to model hydrodynamics, radiation transport and nuclear processes using a range of experimental data to benchmark the predictions.

The other part of the role supports a team within the Computational Physics Group improving and implementing particle transport methods in the bespoke multi-physics codes used at AWE, and which you will use as a Design Physicist. This will involve developing the code in C++, developing the theoretical underpinnings of the code, troubleshooting and supporting users of the code, in addition to carrying out verification and benchmarking of the routines.

Design physicists develop and apply complex physics models of nuclear warheads, in order to underwrite the physics performance and safety of existing and future designs. The Design Physics Group also develop theoretical and experimental techniques for Emergency Response capabilities, enable key supporting hydrodynamic and radiation physics experiments and understand the performance and prompt outputs of any potential nuclear weapon that could be fielded by another state or non-state actor.

The Computational Physics Group (CPG) provides the bespoke software and unpinning expertise used to model nuclear weapons and experimental physics at AWE. For decades, physics codes have been a powerful tool in supporting our main programme. Continuing to deliver AWE's capability requires CPG to maintain quality and understanding of a significant range of algorithms that have a unique pedigree. CPG work to continue developing the accuracy and fidelity of AWE's ability to underwrite and deliver the stockpile. This involves adapting our algorithms and code infrastructure against the fast-evolving world of High Performance Computing (HPC) and to look to new areas where our skillset and expertise can help other areas of the organisation

Key Responsibilities

Research, investigation and production of techniques and solutions to complex multi-physics problems

Supporting research and development which has a direct impact at the level of the technical specialism

Resolving technical problems and assistance to customers and peers

Actively participate in collaboration activities with external peers (International/Academia)

Who Are We Looking For?

Whilst not a check list, we are interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate some of the following:

The ability to programme in C++, Fortran, Python or a similar high-level language

Understanding of nuclear physics

Knowledge of numerical methods related to particle transport

Experience in developing and applying mathematical models to complex physics

Experience of working in a Unix/Linux environment

Technical problem solving across a range of physics areas

A bachelors or masters degree, or a doctorate in a Physics/Maths subject area

A clear and concise communication approach, both oral and written

The ability to capture and communicate technical requirements effectively

What will you get from us?

As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (including Bank Holidays).

9-day working fortnight - our employees have every other Friday off work.

Flexible working hours.

Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time.

Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training.

Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

A market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution).

Life Assurance.

Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending savings.

Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family.

A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site.

Important things you need to know:

You must be a UK national who has been resident in the UK for the past 10 years.

Interviews will be 90 minutes in length and will be held over Microsoft Teams. You will be required to prepare a 10-minute presentation in advance.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE.

#LI-KT

* Agencies: Please note that we do not out-source our recruitment