Materials Modeller

Job Introduction

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Chemical and Process Modelling team. We require a materials scientist or chemist to conduct post-graduate level research and technical support using a combination of modelling and other analytical techniques. The role will involve supporting our commercial nuclear customers and working on a diverse range of projects. There will be the opportunity to develop academic links and internal research and development proposals.

The job will involve developing models to solve industrially relevant problems in chemistry or materials science using a variety of techniques. These may include equation-oriented models (e.g. gPROMS), molecular dynamics (e.g. LAMMPS), quantum mechanics (e.g. CASTEP or NWChem) and/ or thermodynamics (e.g. PHREEQC, CALPHAD). The job will involve scoping and carrying out research projects for customers, writing technical reports and presenting work at technical committees or conferences.

Examples of the type of projects envisaged for this role:

• Atomistic modelling of reactor fuel matrix
• Radiation damage of materials
• Thermodynamic properties of materials

Main Responsibilities

Duties

The key duties of this role are:

• Development and undertaking of customer-funded programmes of work in chemical and materials modelling.
• Undertaking technical and research programmes as part of an integrated team including modellers, experimental scientists and engineers.
• Production of high quality technical work and dissemination through high quality report writing.
• Maintaining customer relationships.
• Encourage links with external academic, professional and industrial contacts in C&PM throughout the C&PM capability community.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills/Qualifications

• Applicants are expected to hold a relevant degree in Chemistry, Materials Science or a related discipline at least at 2(i) level.
• Hold (or be close to submission of) a PhD in a relevant discipline.
• Problem solving skills.
• Good mathematical and computer literacy.
• Good communication skills and pro-active in approach.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

• Experience in use of atomistic, thermodynamic or process modelling tools, further training will be provided as required.
• Experience of developing technical proposals and work plans.

About The Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials