Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre Lead (FTC - 18 Months)

Job Introduction

Job Description for Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre Lead (FTC 18 Months):

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At NNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at NNL, anything is possible.

The space sector is one of the fastest growing and most innovative industries in the UK. The 2020’s will see sustained European and American efforts to return to the lunar surface, alongside ambitious missions throughout the rest of the solar system. For the last decade, NNL has been working with the European Space Agency to develop the space-based nuclear power systems of the future, needed to power this next phase of space exploration and exploitation. 

Recognising the growth of NNL’s space workstream, the scale of the future opportunity and the increasing importance of NNL’s work to the UK Government, NNL has developed a Space Strategy with a focus on deployable nuclear power systems. 

To achieve the ambitions of this Space Strategy, NNL is looking to launch a Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre and appoint a Space Centre Manager. This Centre would act as a springboard to enable rapid innovation and development of space-based power systems, pushing NNL participation in common UK space programmes, and fostering strong links to other UK space hubs along with Industry and academic partners to form a network of complimentary capabilities.

As Centre Manager, you will take the lead on the Space Centre, acting as NNL’s key point of contact with the rest of the UK space sector. You will have significant responsibility for helping NNL to deliver its Space Strategy through the Centre, working to establish NNL as a credible collaborator, helping to secure investment, and initiating long-term research and development programmes. 

Hybrid working is possible however the role is based at the new NNL office in Space Park Leicester.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre Lead (FTC 18 Months):

• Contribute to the design and public launch of NNL’s Space Collaboration Centre to ensure maximum effectiveness and impact.
• Own NNL’s relationship with partners in industry, academia and government, acting as the key point of contact for NNL’s space collaborative activities.
• Lead the Space Centre’s collaborative efforts, designing and implementing joint programmes, enhancing relationships with partners, and facilitating smooth facility access arrangements. 
• Contribute to NNL’s Space Strategy, drawing on knowledge of the sector and partners, and providing recommendations on the direction of travel and level of ambition.
• Direct NNL’s space-related comms agenda to publicly share NNL’s space ambitions, establishing NNL as a credible player, with advocacy directed into the UK government and wider space sector. 
• Contribute to the design and direction of NNL internal space science programmes, ensuring alignment with the broader strategy.
• Seek out funding opportunities from industrial or academic partnerships or government investment and submitting applications or business cases.
• Ensure effective integration of NNL’s space activities with the rest of NNL, drawing on and including the technical, professional services and strategy departments.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre Lead (FTC 18 Months):

• Degree level in a scientific area combined with experience in industry or academia.
• Experience of working across academia, government and industry.
• Ability to work collaboratively across different sectors with diverse external stakeholders including Universities. 
• Demonstrated positive attitude towards Health & Safety, Security, Environment and Quality requirements.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office products including MS Office, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint and other relevant tools.
• Working knowledge of the nuclear & space sector/technologies.
• Good communication and team working skills. 
• Ability to obtain BPSS level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment and criminal record checks).

Desirable Criteria for Nuclear Space Power Collaborative Centre Lead (FTC 18 Months):

• Relevant PhD in space or nuclear related area or equivalent combined with experience in the industry.
• Valid UK driving license.
• Member of a professional institution.
• Chartered Physicist, Engineer or Scientist or actively working towards Chartership.

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.

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