The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) Partnership
New UKAEA and University of Sheffield partnership to drive development of fusion technology
The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the University of Sheffield have entered a new partnership that is set to drive the development of fusion technology and the UK’s future fusion industry.
The collaboration will see Sheffield appoint two Chairs in fusion research and development. Both roles will establish new research programmes to address global fusion challenges.
The position of Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental engineering challenges in the qualification of components, fabricated assemblies and systems for use within future fusion powerplants.
The position of Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve powerplant performance and the decommissioning and recycling of new materials developed.
- Chair in Qualification for Fusion
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The UKAEA Chair in Qualification for Fusion will address fundamental challenges on tokamak specific qualification challenges addressing how we qualify components, fabricated assemblies and systems to be used in fusion machines encompassing: design assessment, quality assurance in manufacture and testing, commissioning and operations.
Closes: 24th May 2023
Job Ref: UOS036840
Find out more about working in the Department of Mechanical Engineering
- Chair in Fusion Materials
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The UKAEA Chair in Fusion Materials will focus on innovation in materials design and processing to improve and tailor performance, reduce operation failures and understand the recycling and decommissioning of new materials in fusion applications. The chair will establish a world leading research programme in fusion materials which could encompass areas including process innovation and the development of new controlled material microstructures, with access to world-class Royce facilities housed in the Harry Brearley Building.
Closes: 24th May 2023
Job Ref: UOS036839
Find out more about working in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Both Chairs will work closely with UKAEA staff and the University of Sheffield Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (Nuclear AMRC) in Rotherham, part of the UK’s High Value Manufacturing Catapult, which helps to move cutting-edge research from universities into the commercial market.
The University’s Faculty of Engineering will host the two Chairs.
The Partnership
UKAEA has chosen to work with the University because of its expertise and track record in materials science, engineering and manufacturing research - Sheffield is one of the strongest universities in the UK in these disciplines, which are crucial for developing new low-carbon technologies.
As part of the partnership, UKAEA will also collaborate with the University’s UK-leading research in thermal hydraulics - a key research area in the development of fusion as an energy source.
Along with many other framework agreements with universities and industry partners, the agreement aims to bolster the UK’s strong position in commercialising fusion energy as a major source of low carbon electricity for the second half of this century.
Fusion is the process which occurs at the centre of stars; it is the source of light and heat emitted by the Sun.
Finance invested in fusion energy enables new materials and technologies to be developed that can benefit not just fusion energy, but also a wide range of industries including space, healthcare and decommissioning.
UKAEA’s mission is to lead the delivery of sustainable fusion energy and maximise scientific and economic benefit.