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Material Scientist (FTC - 24 Months)

Please Note: The application deadline for this job has now passed.

Job Introduction

Job Description for Material Scientist

The UK ARC (Alpha Resilience and Capability) Programme is a collaboration between UK Civil and Defence operators and laboratories (Sellafield Ltd, AWE, DSRL, NWS and NNL), the NDA, the ONR and BEIS with the purpose to sustain and enhance our world leading alpha capabilities and prepare the UK nuclear industry to enact critical national programmes.
A two-year research associate position, with the objective to investigate the characteristics of a range of polymers for applications in the nuclear industry, has been identified.
The role is part of the ARC (Alpha Resilience and Capability) national programme, aimed at providing investment to develop specialist nuclear skills. The post would be suitable for individuals with a degree/ advanced degree in a variety of disciplines who are interested in developing technical knowledge and skills in an area of significance to the nuclear sector.  Direct experience of the topic area of focus is not required as a key objective of the programme is to develop skills/capability.
The post is a 24-month appointment within NNL (which will include at least one six-month formal secondment to another member of the ARC programme) with significant periods of time spent working in other ARC partner organisations once NNL Induction and initial training is completed.  For this project the expectation is that you will be gaining experience through significant periods of work at Sellafield Ltd on the Sellafield Site and AWE at Aldermaston during the first 16 months of the project.  The knowledge of polymer applications gained, along with learning from available literature on alternate polymers, will be used during the second (8-month duration) part of the project to perform irradiation experiments at the Dalton Cumbria Facility while based in the NNL Central Laboratory facility.
The fundamental and applied research conducted within this role will focus on investigations of polymeric materials used for glove box operations, storage of special nuclear materials, and waste consignment at nuclear sites around the world. The work will assess how such materials could be beneficially used at UK sites. The investigation will consider radiation tolerance, chemical compatibility and other factors that are important to meet operational requirements of a variety of processes in the UK nuclear industry. It is anticipated that this work will also explore novel materials with a view to considering benefits beyond those of materials currently in use.
The work is expected to include a range of activities to collate existing experience and data relating to polymer use, combined with experimental studies. Experimental work is likely to include a wide variety of characterisation techniques, in addition to irradiation of materials using ion beams and/or gamma irradiator sources.
A key objective of the programme is the development of capability including transfer of knowledge to new workers in the field; as such, the successful candidate will benefit from working closely under the guidance of existing experts in related topic areas. The candidate can expect to gain experience across a broad range of processes in the nuclear industry, through the work in assessing compatibility of polymers with those processes. In addition, experience will be gained on the variety of experimental techniques to be deployed within the investigation.
Following the 24-month period, an opportunity will be provided to apply for a role within the programme partner organisations.
The research post is located in Cumbria, with flexibility to move location for the six-month secondment and periods of work in the relevant partner organisations.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Material Scientist:

  • Undertaking the research topic outlined above, with the objective of producing a final report summarising the results of the work and knowledge gaps.
  • Close working with member organisations of the programme in order to develop an understanding of plant processes where polymers are used.
  • Support the setup and execution of measurements on alpha active material and/or using radiation sources both within NNL facilities and at other organisations.
  • Actively pursue the goals of the programme both with regards to science output, and to development of capability/ transfer of knowledge.
  • Produce accurate records of work carried out in the form of technical reports 
  • Demonstrating high standards with regards to safety, quality and security.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Material Scientist:

  • Degree/advanced degree in a science-based discipline
  • Ability to work in collaboration with others, developing ideas that have been proposed by others within the team.
  • Demonstrated evidence of applying academically acquired knowledge in practical applications.
  • Excellent data-taking/analysis skills, aptitude for experimental work.
  • Demonstrated positive attitude to safety, security and other EHSS&Q requirements.
  • A demonstrated enthusiasm for upholding high technical quality standards. 
  • Excellent communication and team working skills.
  • Positive attitude to learning/development
  • A pro-active and flexible approach to delivery in making sure that requirements and expectations are met.
  • 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 Material Scientist:

  • Prior experience of topic areas applicable to the research area.

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.

National Nuclear Laboratory

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