Post Doctorate Scheme 2023 - Nuclear Physicist

Job Introduction

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. 

NNL are looking for a PhD graduate to work on Post Irradiation Examination (PIE) and nuclear/fuel modelling. This includes a variety of duties associated with analysis of current PIE data and use of fuel and nuclear modelling codes to support activities in a range of new topic areas. 

To join the NNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in Physics or a related discipline.

You will have the right to work in the UK and be able to achieve 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).

You will be based at our Central Laboratory, the most modern and advanced facility of its kind in the world. 

On the doorstep of the Lake District National Park our Sellafield site offers you the opportunity to work with incredible people on extraordinary projects whilst enjoying some of the most unique and beautiful landscapes the UK has to offer, providing an excellent quality of life.

Main Responsibilities

We are developing the next generation of technical experts. Not only will you receive the opportunity to work on challenging and exciting projects, but you’ll continually learn from skilled and knowledgeable industry experts who are leaders in their field. We will help you become everything you can be, by challenging, stretching, and pushing you to your limits while supporting you every step of the way.

You will work closely with members of both the Irradiated Fuels and Corrosion team, and the Nuclear physics team with the objective of developing a technical understanding of both fuel and nuclear/reactor physics.

You will be responsible for delivering to programmes of work related to both current reactor operations in the UK, and future requirements which includes developments in the NNL focus areas including nuclear for medical applications, security and non-proliferation, clean energy and environmental restoration.

Areas of work for this role include:

• Supporting production of analysis routes for a variety of measurement techniques such as thermal diffusivity and gamma spectrometry. Developing a good understanding of the science associated with such techniques in order to allow deployment of coding languages such as C++, Python and Fortran to analyse results
• Developing experience in a variety of techniques and coding languages in order to support the NNL science and technology programme by contributing to development of novel methods. These range from advancing the use of well-established techniques, to developing new methods
• Application of computer modelling codes relating to nuclear physics and fuel performance; the opportunity to gain sufficient experience in order to provide support to maintenance and development of such codes

You will have the opportunity to develop a well-rounded understanding of reactor technology and irradiated fuel issues combined with an understanding of techniques that are used to investigate such properties. The combination of these areas is used to assist in development of programmes to assure the safe operation of nuclear fuel in current and future reactors. In addition, you will work closely with current specialists in the team, providing development in skills and knowledge.

NNL recognises that academia and industry are very different environments, our Postdoctoral Development Scheme will smooth the transition whilst supporting you as you take your first steps towards becoming a Subject Matter Expert.

Your two-year scheme will provide the opportunity to develop your technical knowledge and skills whilst providing you with an insight into NNL’s strategy and direction. You will receive an overview of how the company operates and delivers its projects. 

You will undertake personal development through training aligned to your personal development plan and understand your strengths, weaknesses, and behaviours. You will receive a personal budget to support your development within your field of expertise. 

From day one you’ll have a role in a technical team involved in delivering real customer projects. You will have direct sight of the value that your skills and knowledge have to our industry and by extension our society. The Postdoctoral Development Scheme runs alongside your role, providing you the space and skills to develop in a commercial environment whilst helping you decide how to advance your technical expertise.

Our two-year programme is designed to give you:

• An introduction to NNL so you understand where we sit in the wider context of the nuclear industry and how we work
• An introduction to the technical expertise at the core of our business so you understand how your expertise interrelates with our wider technical portfolio
• A clear pathway of technical development
• Commercial awareness of the Business Operations of NNL
• Opportunity to network with mid-career professionals and experts
• Mentoring to achieve chartered status with your chosen professional body
• A choice of development activities tailored to you and your career aspirations
• Membership of a cohort of early career professionals to provide support in developing within the company
• The support of a dedicated early careers team and our strong, thriving early careers community.

As part of the selection process for the Post Doctorate programme you will complete a Technical Interview against the skills and competencies required for this role. 

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.