Irradiated Fuel Characterisation Scientist

Job Introduction

Job Description for Irradiated Fuel Characterisation Scientist:

UKNNL is where your understanding of reactors fuels the nation. As part of our Fuel Reactor & Reprocessing capability, you’ll play a vital role in developing the UK fuel cycle in line with advances in new technology and new processes. As old reactors reach the end of their lifespan, we need experts like you, with the technical skills to virtually model scenarios that not only enable us to explore new ways of managing the inputs and outputs of reactors, but also pave the way for the implementation of smaller, cleaner revolutionary new reactors. This is a place where you can use your knowledge and expertise to do long term meaningful work for years to come. 

The roles sit within two of UKNNL’s Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) teams; the Defence Materials and Hot Cell Characterisation teams which comprise of technical experts and specialists responsible for leading and developing the post irradiation examination of nuclear fuel. This area has a growing workload associated with current programmes, developing workstreams (spent fuel evaluation in support of nationally important programmes) and emerging requirements supporting development of new nuclear reactor technologies. It supports the safe and efficient operation of reactors and provides the technical underpinning for long term management and disposal of irradiated fuel.

The role holders will support this area by collecting and analysing data generated from irradiated fuel examination and testing. They will also assist in development of measurement and characterisation techniques, including implementing new techniques/methods and assisting in improvement of existing techniques. In addition to undertaking work in the UK’s high active fuel examination facility and the Workington Laboratory, the role may include the requirement to visit customer and supplier sites based in the UK.

The role holders will analyse and report data collected from fuel examinations for internal and external stakeholders. Successful applicants will also be required to understand, operate and assist in development and testing of experimental equipment for characterisation of irradiated fuel.

Under supervision of technical leads, the role holder will co-ordinate and deliver tasks required within to agreed time, cost and quality requirements.

The role holders will need to provide the highest quality data output, and ensure maintenance of those quality standards through creation and implementation of procedures, written guidance or applicable standards as needed.

Training and development towards a position as a specialist expert in the PIE field will be provided, working alongside recognised industry experts.The role holders will analyse data and operate remotely equipment within the active handling facility hot cells. 

Depending on the skills and background of the individuals they will be focused on the technical areas they best suit. The fundamental experience of operating, developing and maintaining instruments in the hot cells, and analysis of data, can be built on to develop the future technical leads through an established career pathway.

Areas the individuals may focus on include (but are not limited to):

• Support and identification/problem solving of issues during large scale cutting operations
• NDE examination for eddy current and gamma scanning
• Machining/cutting technologies
• Analysis of materials property data
• Coding and software development

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at Workington or Sellafield.

Main Responsibilities for Irradiated Fuel Characterisation Scientist:

• Technical delivery of tasks in order to ensure that standards of safety, cost, quality, scientific merit and time are met. 
• Directly undertake data-recording tasks and experimental work as required. 
• Maintain accurate records in accordance with procedures.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to develop experimental approaches and techniques, ensuring data capture is suitable to address the customer requirements (knowledge gaps associated with spent fuel and materials post-irradiation). 
• Contribute to technical and research programmes as part of an integrated team including modellers, experimental scientists and engineers.
• Provide advice and guidance on technical issues in their own working area. 
• With guidance from the technical leads in the area, progress new opportunities for innovation, technology development and/or customer service in his/her own area of work
  • Interpret analytical data produced to characterise reactor irradiated materials.
  • Apply existing knowledge and expertise to assist in developing new areas of business.
  • Aid in the transfer of historic knowledge to modern platforms to with training from existing technical leads on critical projects.
• Contribute to the improvement of working practices and environment particularly in their own area of responsibility. 

Essential Criteria for Irradiated Fuel Characterisation Scientist:

• Degree in a science-based discipline.
• Demonstrable experience in data handling, manipulation and analysis in an industrial environment.
• A track record of applying academically acquired knowledge in practical applications.
• Excellent data-taking skills, aptitude for experimental work.
• Positive attitude to safety, security and other EHSS&Q requirements.
• Good communication and team working skills.Positive attitude to learning and development.
• Ability to work in collaboration with others, developing ideas that have been proposed by others within the team, whilst also providing own input.
• A pro-active and flexible approach to delivery in making sure that requirements and expectations are met.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).
• British citizen as defined in the British Nationality Act 1981 (British Nationality Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk)). Please note if you hold a dual nationality, of which one nationality is British, you may still be considered but this is dependent on your dual nationality.

Desirable Criteria for Irradiated Fuel Characterisation Scientist:

•  Prior experience of active area work.

Why join us?

UKNNL isn’t just a place where you can do career-defining work that makes a real-world impact. It’s also a place where you’ll feel appreciated and valued. We’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is free to be themselves and feel like they belong. We put your wellbeing first, we push you to reach your potential, and we do everything possible to help you feel safe, supported and inspired.

We also offer a range of employee benefits:

• Sector leading Family-Focused Policies: celebrate life events, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and a week off for your marriage.
• UKNNL offers attractive pension plans. If you contribute 5%, UKNNL contributes 15%. Alternatively, if you choose not to contribute (0%), UKNNL will still contribute 10%.
• Annual Leave: Benefit from 25.5 days of leave, plus 4 extra days to be taken during Christmas shutdown, plus Bank Holidays.
• Reduced gym membership with discounts of up to 25% from 3,700 gym and leisure providers across the UK
• Company Bonus: Be rewarded for your contributions.
• Learning Opportunities: Enhance your skills through excellent development programmes.
• Employee Assistance: Access support for personal and professional challenges.
• Cycle to Work: Stay active and eco-friendly.
• Life Assurance: Ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Sick Pay Benefits: Receive support during illness or injury.
• Access to ‘Mydiscounts’ which has a range of special offers and discounts from more than 200 suppliers, including medical insurance and dental insurance. 
• Health Care: Health savings plan which allows you to claim money back on visits to the dentist, optician and/or physiotherapist (limits apply).

About The Company

UKNNL is an incredible place to work. A place where people do things that have never been done before. A place where people push boundaries to further themselves, the business and society as a whole.

This is a place where personal and professional opportunities are limitless. If you want to change the world, if you want to tackle climate change, if you want to help advance medical science, if you want to help put things in space, if you want to answer the big questions, if you want to work with extraordinary materials, if you want to meet great people, learn new skills, challenge yourself, work flexibly, and build a long successful career with the power to make a real impact… you can do it all here.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where UKNNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures, providing reasonable adjustments as appropriate. 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 and the ability to access to workplace in a way which works for you.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory