Martin has over 45 years of fusion research experience with the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA). His initial research focused on the theory and computer modelling of external energy sources and heat and drive currents in fusion plasmas. He later became responsible for a variety of UKAEA projects, including the construction of the MAST spherical tokamak and its subsequent upgrade. From 2008 until 2012, he was responsible for the operation of the JET facility at the UKAEA’s Culham Campus. He was also the Project Sponsor for the installation of the ITER-like Wall into JET to test the materials on plasma performance. Since stepping down from his role as Director of Strategy and Technology in 2018, Martin continues to work for the UKAEA part-time as a Senior Advisor while undertaking work for other clients.
Outside of his work at Culham, Martin has been involved in global initiatives relating to fusion and other high-technology activities. From 2002 until 2007, he advised on the Large Hadron Collider Project at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). He was a member of the ITER Technical Advisory Group from 2007 to 2010 and was on the ITER External Management Advisory Board from 2015 to 2016. From 2016 until 2019, he was Chair of the Fusion for Energy (F4E) Administration and Management Committee and Vice Chair of its Governing Board. He has also participated in many reviews of other UK and international projects, including EAST, NSTX-U, and the European Spallation Source.
