About Us
Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE) is the UK's national laboratory for fusion research. CCFE (formerly known as UKAEA Culham) is based at Culham Science Centre in Oxfordshire, and is owned and operated by the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. The 80-hectare site just south of Oxford was previously HMS Hornbill, a Fleet Air Arm airfield, before opening as a purpose-built fusion laboratory in 1960. Since then, Culham has made many major contributions to international fusion research and development. Today the UK fusion programme is centred on the innovative MAST (Mega Amp Spherical Tokamak) experiment and employs around 150 people. The programme is funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the European Union under the EURATOM treaty. In addition, CCFE hosts the world's largest magnetic fusion experiment, JET (Joint European Torus), on behalf of its European partners. UKAEA operates the JET facilities for scientists from around Europe, who work together under the European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA), co-ordinated by the EFDA-JET Close Support Unit. JET is situated next to the UK fusion laboratory. Around 500 people are employed at the JET facilities, with around 350 European scientists visiting each year to conduct research, and many from outside Europe. Do you want to join in our quest - a quest to make the world's perfect energy source! As CCFEs director, Professor Steve Cowley puts it : "Fusion energy is an amazing thing, if we can make it work we will power the planet forever with fusion". Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid* leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme* and a Relocation allowance (if eligible). We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success. Please be advised that this vacancy is due to close on* 15/10/2022* . We may close earlier than this date if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received. Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Disclosure Certificate application as part of their clearance – The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions. Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years.