Reactor Physicist

Job Introduction

Job Description for Reactor Physicist:

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.

As the national laboratory for nuclear fission in the UK, we are harnessing nuclear science to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges. Nuclear is already the single largest and most reliable zero-carbon energy source in the UK, with new technologies holding even more potential. A thriving nuclear sector is an essential component in the UK’s path to net zero.

It is impossible to overestimate the scale of the challenge ahead for the UK in reaching net zero by 2050. We will need to completely transform the way we produce and consume energy. Without nuclear, the UK will not meet its net zero goals on time, and without NNL’s work, the UK nuclear sector cannot deliver what is required. 

A vacancy has arisen in the Nuclear and Reactor Physics team for a motivated, high calibre nuclear engineer or nuclear reactor physicist with a particular interest in undertaking reactor physics modelling, working on nuclear new build, including Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANT), Small Modular Reactors (SMR) & Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) as part of a key role within the team. Reactor modelling is one of the key activities in the development of future UK nuclear technologies and therefore feeds into and influences the wider shaping of UK energy policy and the strategy for moving towards a low carbon future.

The role delivers to programmes of work related to current UK reactor operations, new build, international collaboration, research and development, and future requirements which includes developments in the NNL focus areas including security and non-proliferation, clean energy, health and nuclear medicine, and environmental restoration.

Specific areas of work for this role include:

• Provide specialist technical support to subject matter experts primarily in the area of new build reactor technology such as Light Water Reactors (LWR), SMR, AMR, ANT and other customer projects ensuring the delivery of high-quality outputs.
• Developing experience in a variety of techniques and coding languages in support of the NNL science and technology programme by contributing to development of novel methods. These activities range from advancing the use of well-established techniques, to developing new methods.
• Application of computer modelling codes relating to reactors, nuclear physics, safety and fuel performance as well as the opportunity to gain sufficient experience in order to support maintenance and development of such codes.
• Technical authoring, review and assessment of documents relating to reactors, nuclear physics, or fuel performance.

The role provides the opportunity to develop a well-rounded understanding of reactor technology from design to licensing and operability, combined with an understanding of techniques that are used to design and investigate such properties. The combination of these areas supports the development of programmes to assure the safe operation of nuclear fuel in current and future reactors.

The successful applicant will work closely with specialists in the team, who will provide mentoring and encourage development in skills and knowledge. Support to achieve membership and chartership of a relevant professional institute will be given, if not already a member of such an organisation. 

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at Preston, Risley, Sellafield or Workington but travel to Preston and Risley offices will be expected when required.

Main Responsibilities

Main Responsibilities for Reactor Physicist:

• Provide specialist technical support to subject matter experts primarily in the areas of current reactor, new build reactor technology and research and development.
• To carry out designated work packages to standards of safety, cost, quality and time adhering to NNL’s values and behaviors and maintain a high nuclear professionalism standard.
• Carry out analysis and verification of results to an acceptable quality.
• Provision of specified services to internal/external customers to agreed standards.
• Ensures all relevant legislative, regulatory and company procedures are understood and adhered to when delivering projects working within limits, e.g., budgetary, safety, quality, risk, security etc applicable to the role. 
• Where appropriate, may contribute to or lead the estimation of project budgetary information and procedures.
• To lead, support or collaborate in various meetings under guidance of subject matter experts as appropriate.
• Produce accurate records of work carried out including technical reports and external peer reviewed publications.
• Where appropriate, will maintain good contacts with individuals/organisations at all status levels internal and external to the company.
• Take responsibility and be pro-active in the development, application, review and assessment of appropriate technical processes and systems applicable to their work area.
• Engagement and collaboration with national and international institutions, representing NNL as appropriate.
• Maintain professional membership via an established UK institution with a plan to become a Chartered Scientist, Physicist or Engineer.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Reactor Physicist:

• A relevant PhD in the area of nuclear engineering, reactor physics or equivalent with nuclear industry experience.
• Alternatively, a relevant Post Graduate MSc degree in the area of nuclear engineering, reactor physics or equivalent combined with significant nuclear industry experience.
• Good knowledge of programming (C++, Python and/or Fortran or other relevant codes) with some practical experience of one or more nuclear codes such as:
  • SERPENT, CASMO, WIMS, PANTHER, MCNP, SCALE, OpenMC, OpenFoam, ENIGMA, or comparable and equivalent.
• Demonstrated positive attitude towards Health & Safety, Security, Environment, and Quality requirements.
• Good communication and team working skills.
• Demonstrated ability in applying logical and physics concepts to the analysis of problems.
• Demonstrated evidence of applying academically acquired knowledge in practical applications combined with an interest in reactor physics or nuclear science 
• 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).

Desirable Criteria for Reactor Physicist:

• Experience of working with new build reactor projects and/or ANTs preferable. 
• Some nuclear related experience of working internationally preferable.
• Member or Associate member of a professional institution.
• Chartered Scientist, Physicist or Engineer or actively working towards Chartership.
• Knowledge and experience of using various operating system such as Unix, Linux and other relevant systems including server related environments.
• Knowledge and experience in using some codes such as:
  • Thermal-hydraulics code – e.g. COBRA, RELAP, TRACE, OpenFoam, StarCCM, or comparable and equivalent
  • Severe Accidents and Fault studies – Fault tree, MAAP, Melcore or comparable and equivalent.

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.