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Deputy Technical Lead - Defence

Job Reference NNL/TP/11402/457

This job has been closed.

Number of Positions:
1
Contract Type:
Permanent - Full Time
Salary:
£39928 - £43342
Working Hours:
39
Location:
Sellafield, Seascale
Closing Date:
24/05/2019
Business Area:
Fuel, Reactor and Reprocessing
Post / Zip Code:
CA20 1PG

Job Introduction

The Post Irradiation Evaluation (PIE) capability supports several large (£15M), long-term projects on behalf of NNL’s major customers. The projects provide information on fuel and reactor material performance, supporting the ongoing operation of the UK reactor fleet.

The multi-disciplinary team is based in NNL’s active handling facility. It works closely with teams from other NNL locations in providing a coordinated service to the customer.

We are looking for a high calibre, motivated and experienced scientist to join the Metallography team, as part of the Fuels, Reactors and Reprocessing capability within NNL which delivers commercial R&D to help solve a wide range of challenges in the nuclear industry.  The team specialises in hot cell microscopy of irradiated materials, and developing sample preparation methods for a wide range of out-of-cell techniques, making wide use of specialist equipment and within NNL. The individual will bring relevant expertise but will also have opportunities to develop their own capabilities.

Candidates must have a relevant science degree (Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics) and have the ability to: (a) critically interrogate large amounts of technical information relating to a complex problem, and identify the key issues and resources; and (b) solve complex problems in an innovative manner using experimental data and NNL expertise.

Main Responsibilities

  • Technically supervise and participate in microscopy measurements on irradiated nuclear fuel samples and other materials.
  • Working flexibly as part of a specialist team to solve materials related challenges to a range of UK.
  • Deliver on (internal and external) customer projects to time, in budget, and to required environmental, health, safety and quality (EHSS&Q) standards.
  • Application of experimental techniques in support of customer work, making use of facilities within NNL.
  • Authorship, checking and approval of technical documents (calculations notes, technical memos, technical reports and open literature journal articles).
  • Presenting work performed to customers at conferences, project meetings
  • Development and maintenance of strong customer delivery links.
  • Ad-hoc problem solving to resolve day to day technical challenges that emerge.
  • Engaging with technical experts across NNL, looking to support their work and vice-versa
  • Assist the Capability Manager and Technical Lead in building and maintaining strong collaborative links within the NNL.
  • Authorship, checking and approval of technical documents (calculations notes, technical memos, technical reports and open literature journal articles).
  • Assist technical lead in the development of new PIE measurement techniques; including analysis methods and refinement of the experimental apparatus. Includes devising experimental programmes, carrying out investigations, analysing and reporting results.

The Ideal Candidate

  • Degree in a physical science.
  • Experience within a technical environment involving the characterisation and inspection of material using microscopy techniques
  • A pro-active and flexible approach to customer support and project delivery in making sure that requirements and expectations are met or exceeded.
  • Demonstration of a positive attitude to safety, security and other EHSS&Q requirements
  • Ability to work well in a multidisciplinary team environment as well as independently
  • Proven experience of writing high quality technical reports
  • SC cleared (or ability to become so)

Due to the nature of this role, it is only open to UK nationals

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