Job Description

Head of Computational Science & Engineering
Abingdon Rd, Culham, UK
Full-time
Salary: \xc2\xa370,875 (inclusive of MPP) + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Level 6
Department: Computing Division



The Head of Computational Science & Engineering (CSE) is responsible for maximizing the exploitation of Advanced Computing (with an emphasis upon "simulation") to accelerate UKAEA\'s mission of delivering Fusion Energy onto the national grid.

They are expected to be a recognized expert in the field(s) of (one or more of) HPC (modelling & extreme scale simulation), AI/ ML or computer science more generally and are responsible for promoting continuous improvement in the way that UKAEA exploits simulation, moving from a business wherein codes are "calibrated" onto existing experiments, towards a future where codes are made "actionable" (i.e. predictive) by the application of Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) tools and techniques.

They will strive to democratize state-of-the-art computing technologies (HPC, AI/ ML, Big Data) and state-of-the-art methods across UKAEA, and its growing supply chain, to deliver predictive capability in plasma science, materials science and for the engineering design of complex systems. They will be responsible for oversight and hold accountability for the delivery of a wide range of projects being implemented and overseen by programme leaders within the Division, notably the Computational Engineering, Computational Plasma Physics, Materials Simulation, Data Science & Visualization and HPC Groups (line managing and overseeing the development of group leaders of each). They will report to and work with the Director of Computing Programmes and Director of Computing Operations to grow and deliver an exciting portfolio of R&D, through extensive international collaboration, taking cutting edge research through to production tools in support of UKAEA\'s mission.

Responsibilities:

- Manage and grow a team of Computer/ Data Science, HPC, AI/ ML experts and encourage the development of these skills across other departments and programmes within UKAEA.
- Develop and keep up-to-date an engaging and empowering strategy and delivery framework for actionable, scale-out simulation and data science/ AI/ ML capability (working closely with the Head of Data Solutions).
- Working with the Research Software Engineering (RSE) group, ensure that all R&D and developed software assets meet stringent QA targets (helping to define those targets), to evolve UKAEA simulation capability towards a software stack compliant with an in-silico regulatory environment in the commercial fusion era.
- Work with Group Leaders to ensure that staff across UKAEA and its growing supply chain are trained in the use of scale-out computing and AI/ ML methods, processes, and tools - to "democratise" supercomputing and AI (and importantly their convergence e.g., around VVUQ, design of experiments for simulation or surrogate modelling).
- Ensure the best use of existing simulation tools and identify and advocate for new, industry standard or possibly emergent/ disruptive technologies (such as Data Centric Engineering (DCE) or foundation modelling) to help UKAEA meet its ambitious mission goals.
- Develop and deliver training and awareness campaigns to increase the understanding and adoption of transformative solutions in HPC/ AI/ ML.
- Engage with Professional Body Membership and Community Participation (e.g., ACM, IEEE, SIGHPC etc.).
- Take a leading role on the development and execution of the strategy for the Computing Division and unit in conjunction with the other unit leaders and Computing Division Directors.
- Responsible for the safety of staff and facilities operated by the unit through the Divisional Safety Committee and the Safety Management systems of the UKAEA.
- Look for opportunities outside the organisation for collaboration, partnership and/ or bringing in income (grants, contracts, donations, etc.)

Qualifications

Essential skills, experience and competence?required

- Degree (or relevant experience) and ideally a PhD. in a relevant STEM subject.
- Significant experience leading modelling & simulation or data science innovation in a research or engineering environment.
- Significant experience leading a team of Computer/ Data Science, HPC, and/ or AI/ ML experts.
- Ability to manage broad portfolios of work, ensuring systems and roles are in place to prioritise goals, manage budgets and schedules, and communicate with stakeholders whilst enabling agile, iterative, quality-driven approaches to software delivery.
- Significant people management experience for varied teams of 20+ technology professionals and ability to define and establish new capabilities and develop others as leaders.
- Ability to communicate, build trust and influence at all levels.
- Deep understanding and experience in practice of modern software engineering.
- Good (ideally "excellent") mathematical ability and deep knowledge in the simulation domain.

Desirable skills, experience and competence

- Track record of strategic leadership and establishing broad networks and partnerships.
- Membership of appropriate professional bodies (e.g., ACM, IEEE, SIGHPC etc.).

Additional information

What we offer

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 (up to 7% for Levels 1 - 7, as well as 3rd and 4th year apprentices) 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 we generally advertise vacancies for 4 weeks however we may close earlier than this 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 Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and any other appropriate security checks as part of their clearance - which will include The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks which 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. Please visit the UK Government website. If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.

UK Atomic Energy Authority