Theoretical Scientist

Theoretical Physicist

Closing Date: 24th February 2025

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Package: £36,640 - £43,500 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience)

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a Theoretical Physicist for the Material Physics Group, which sits within our Physics sub-function.

This role is ideally suited to a physicist who enjoys developing and applying atomic physics theory to the computational modelling of spectra, has an interest in plasma/high-energy density physics and the analysis of results.

Working within the Material Physics Group the successful candidate will be required to undertake research projects to improve our knowledge of opacity, developing code for high-performance computing platforms and creating data for use in hydrodynamic simulations.

There will be opportunities for travel to develop collaborations with existing partners.

You will work with a variety of teams to support both our core product and our modelling programme to progress the maturity of the models we use.

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

• a PhD in a Physics related subject.

• a willingness to travel overseas is essential to participate in discussions with researchers from other institutions.

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Experience in the areas of: plasma, atomic or high-energy density physics

• An understanding of how radiation interacts with matter.

• Developing computer programs to perform simulations

• programming language such as Python, Fortran or C++

• Linux/HPC computer environments.

You'll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to deadlines.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

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

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

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

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

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.