The Power Plant Modelling and Integration Group (PPMI) is responsible for integrated fusion power plant design. We develop and exploit the power plant modelling software PROCESS and BLUEMIRA to influence decision-making on the UK STEP and EUROfusion EU-DEMO design programmes. The PPMI focuses on high-level integrated modelling of feasible fusion power plant designs, and the PROCESS and BLUEMIRA codes use reduced physics and engineering models to explore various reactor designs and optimise them for key metrics.

The role of Research Software Engineer is to develop and support the modelling capability for the PPMI group’s fusion power plant design codes for UKAEA. We focus on balancing the demands between science and engineering domain experts and design programme performance requirements as well as providing expertise including advice and training. The Research Software Engineer will be able to shape the tools being used whilst gaining a holistic view of the interdisciplinary challenges faced in a highly integrated physics and engineering project.

What will you be responsible for?

• Developing PPMI software as part of the technology programme at UKAEA
  Contributing to the PPMI software team by participating in shared planning, problem solving and reviews, sharing knowledge and helping both internal and external colleagues.
  Working with scientists and engineers to understand project requirements and identifying areas for collaboration.
  Creating high-quality software for reproducible, trusted research that impacts decision-making of power plant design programmes
  Engaging with the research and RSE community to communicate developments and learn from others.

Qualifications:

• Degree in a scientific, engineering or technical subject + PhD or experience working in an academic or industrial research environment
  Demonstrable experience of developing software in at least one language used in scientific or engineering applications (e.g. Python, Fortran)
  Familiarity with good development practices such as version control and software testing
  Understanding of the software development lifecycle and experience of writing software for use by others
  Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate well on projects

Desirable: 

• Any of the research or technology disciplines related to UKAEA’s activities
  Computational modelling and numerical simulation
  Data analysis and visualization
  Working knowledge of developing and deploying software on Linux platforms
  Familiarity with some relevant technologies: Git, Gitlab/Github, automated testing & CI, build systems, packaging, containerisation
  Experience of working with existing codebases and legacy scientific languages
  Using scientific computing platforms such as compute clusters, HPC or cloud systems
  Involvement in the RSE community and/or experience of giving talks, training or helping to run events