Job Description for Research Scientist (FTC - 24 months):
NNL 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.
We invite applications for a 2-year industrial experimental research position investigating helium within plutonium oxide. Helium is generated during alpha decay of plutonium. How the helium atoms move through the plutonium oxide lattice, become trapped or released from the oxide under different conditions has important applications in the long-term storage and disposal of plutonium oxide, nuclear forensics and plutonium metal corrosion. The successful applicant will work with experts from AWE, Sellafield Ltd and NNL on the novel application of techniques to study this topic, including a particular focus on Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) alongside other materials characterisation techniques available within AWE and NNL – including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), powder X-Ray Diffraction (pXRD), and Raman spectroscopy.
The post is suitable for candidates with a PhD or equivalent level of independent research experience in solid state/material science, physical chemistry, electron microscopy or a similar subject. We understand the unique nature of working with plutonium and, therefore, an interest in the nuclear sector and the ability to adapt your experience and knowledge to new and novel problems is more important than previous experience working with plutonium.
The role is part of a collaborative project between Sellafield Ltd, AWE and NNL and is being funded by the Alpha Resilience and Capability (ARC) national programme. This programme is a proactive, long-term collaboration between the UK Government, nuclear industry and wider nuclear sector to invest in specialist nuclear skills and expertise.
The position is a fixed-term two-year contract. The successful candidate will work primarily within NNL Central Laboratory located on the Sellafield site, but with regular visits to AWE research facilities and Sellafield Ltd. The successful candidate will be trained in alpha handling skills, including alpha glovebox operations, and relevant characterisation techniques in NNL’s Central Lab facility.
In addition to researching helium behaviour in plutonium oxide, the successful candidate will be given the opportunity to develop a detailed understanding of industry projects on plutonium management across the partner organisation and work alongside industry experts and researchers and develop their contacts across relevant ARC communities. The expectation is that the research findings will be published and presented internationally.
This research position requires the candidate to have or be able to gain Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance and to pass a full face respirator fit test.
Main Responsibilities for Research Scientist (FTC - 24 months):
Essential Criteria for Research Scientist (FTC - 24 months):
NNL 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:
About The Company
NNL 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
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.