Technician

Job Introduction

Job Description for Technician:

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.

Fuels, Reactors & Recycling (FR&R) is looking for an individual to be part of the Pu Characterisation and Repackaging Team which has team members primarily based at UKNNL Central Laboratory. The team is part of the Fuels, Reactors and Recycling (FR&R) - Radiochemistry capability within UKNNL which deliver commercial R&D to help solve a wide range of challenges in the nuclear industry.  

The Radiochemistry capability has unique Medium Active operational expertise and provides key skills to support the UK’s national programmes. The team specialise in laboratory-scale experiments in solvent extraction, isotopic separation, recycle technologies and Pu Science.

FR&R is looking for a Technician who will support the delivery of the Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) 100 Programme which is led and directed by the WM&D (Waste Management & Decommissioning) Capability.The successful candidate will initially focus on supporting work on the HIP rig in UKNNL’s Workington facility learning about HIP technology and then gradually transitioning over to involved carrying out work in Area 400 of UKNNL Central Laboratory, supporting the active HIP rig and glovebox suite based there. The work in Area 400 will primarily consist of glovebox and fumehood operations.

The individual will undertake any required training to be able to work safely and effectively in our unique laboratories at the UKNNL Central Laboratory, which is located on Sellafield site, Cumbria, and will need to be competent to assist in the provision of operational and technical support to projects to meet business objectives to agreed standards.

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

Main Responsibilities for Technician:

• Undertaking a range of laboratory operations to meet project requirements.
• Ability to deliver work to agreed standards, following Method Statements or Operating Instructions. 
• Maintain detailed records of laboratory operations to meet required quality standards.
• Providing timely and accurate laboratory data to Technical Leads to meet agreed project deadlines- ensuring project reports can be submitted to customers within agreed timescales.
• Supporting with maintaining good laboratory standards, taking shared responsibility for maintaining safe and secure workplace for all lab users.
• Supporting with Post Operations Close Out, ensuring packaging and disposal of waste experimental samples and equipment is completed in timely manner to maintain housekeeping standards. 
• To support the Technologist and Operations & Technical Support Advisor in the planning of experimental work including input to the preparation of work permissioning documents.
• To support glovebox maintenance activities as required including ensuring appropriate calibration of laboratory equipment to ensure the quality of any analytical results.
• To procure laboratory chemicals and consumables and ensure stock levels are maintained.

NB: This role has no line management responsibilities. However, the role may involve training new starters and apprentices in basic lab, rig hall, and / or technical operations.

Essential Criteria for Technician:

• Minimum HNC/Level 3 or equivalent (A-Levels, BTEC National Certificate or Diploma etc.) in a relevant scientific subject; Chemistry, Materials Science, etc. or relevant experience of working in a regulated environment.
• Ability to achieve and maintain any SQEP specialties’ (e.g. FH or GB Operator) to meet needs of business / customer work.
• Proven ability to analyse data.
• Proven ability to identify issues, problem solve and support resolution.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and be a respected team member.
• Demonstrable positive attitude towards achieving high levels of safety and quality.
• Competent in Microsoft IT software/programmes.
• Ability to obtain DV level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial, criminal record checks, interview plus 10 years of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Technician:

• Degree in a relevant scientific subject; Chemistry, Materials Science, etc.
• Experience working in a laboratory.
• Ability to work under their own direction and coordinate work of others where necessary.
• Experience of working in fumehoods and gloveboxes.

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