Fuel Performance Scientist

Job Introduction

A vacancy has arisen in the Nuclear and Reactor Physics team for a high calibre, motivated scientist or engineer with experience relevant to fuel performance modelling as part of a key role within the team. Fuel performance modelling is a key activity in the development of a future UK nuclear fuel cycle and is therefore feeds into and influences the wider shaping of UK energy policy and the strategy for moving towards a low carbon future. The role will include preparation of code and running fuel performance models, analysing the output data and presenting relevant outcomes and results in technical reports for our customers.

Role Responsibility

• Deliver technical work to the satisfaction of customers, with delivery to time, cost and quality
• Foster and maintain key relationships (internal and external) to ensure effective and efficient project delivery
• Provide specialist technical support to the BEIS Advanced Fuel Cycle Programme, UK-SMR programme and other customer projects ensuring the delivery of high-quality outputs
• Keep abreast of the latest technical as well as commercial developments in the field which are relevant to the team
• Ensure that work scopes are effective to answer the customer’s needs and outputs meet NNL and customer standards
• Represent NNL (or the UK) at international working groups overseas or international collaboration meetings as required, supported by a technical lead (as required)
• Actively support in improvement initiatives including enabling change activities within the team and wider NNL
• Comply with all legislative, regulatory and company policies and procedures appropriate to the role
• Take responsibility and be pro-active in the development and application of appropriate technical and managerial processes and systems applicable to their work area

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills/Qualifications:

• A directly relevant 2:1 (or above) physics, engineering or directly relevant degree with 2-3 years’ experience or alternatively a PhD or Post-Doctoral experience in relevant discipline (physics, engineering or mathematics)
• Knowledge and practical experience of Fortran and/or programming languages such as C or Python.
• Experience using UNIX/LINUX operating systems

Desirable Skills/Qualifications:

• Valid UK driving license
• Fuel Performance experience with up to date technical knowledge in this technical area
• Experience of using ENIGMA, TRAFIC or other Fuel Performance modelling software
• Chartered Physicist, Engineer or Scientist or actively working towards Chartership
• Member of a professional institution

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory