Materials Scientist

Job Introduction

Job Description for Materials Scientist:

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. 

The Metallography team based at Sellafield, is part of the Fuels Reactors and Reprocessing area of NNL. The team is involved in high profile programmes of work for the Civil and Defence sectors, generating key data through sample preparation and analysis of radioactive materials. The role of Materials Scientist is concerned with the use of optical and electron microscopes to analyse irradiated fuel and associated irradiated materials using our nuclear laboratory on the Sellafield site. Working alongside skilled technicians and under guidance from Technical Leads, the post holder will be required to conduct analysis of samples in an active environment to the highest standards of safety, security and quality. Production of high-quality technical reports is a key requirement and the output will be utilised in the support of reactor safety cases for our customers. Additionally, the post holder will participate in the Core Science programmes within NNL, researching and developing new experimental techniques and processes to advance our scientific capabilities.

The work will be based at Sellafield, Cumbria but there will be requirement to attend our non-active facility at Workington, where NNL has a Metallography lab.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Materials Scientist:

• Technically supervise and participate in microscopy measurements on irradiated nuclear fuel samples and other materials, to the required standard. 
• Assist technical lead in the development of new PIE measurement techniques; specifically, development of analysis methods and refinement of the experimental technique. Includes devising experimental programmes, assisting in the production of specifications, carrying out investigations, analysing and reporting results.
• Assist in the development of new measurement techniques including development of analysis methods and refinement of the experimental apparatus. Includes devising experimental programmes, carrying out investigations, analysing and reporting results.
• Take responsibility for assuring the quality of measurements made in the laboratory, under the supervision of the Technical Lead for the area.
• Analyse and troubleshoot equipment operability, technical queries and performance issues.
• Produce accurate records of work carried out in the form of technical reports.
• Present results in the open literature where appropriate.
• Comply with legislative, regulatory and company policy standards and procedures e.g. safety, quality, risk, security etc. applicable to the role.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Materials Scientist:

• Educated to degree level in relevant physical science discipline or applicable experience.
• Experience within a technical environment involving the characterisation and inspection of material using microscopy techniques.
• Experience of technical report writing.
• Awareness of experimental design methods.
• Proven ability to conform to appropriate safe systems of work.
• Ability to work to a high security standard.
• 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).
• British citizen as defined in the British Nationality Act 1981 (British Nationality Act 1981 (legislation.gov.uk)).  Please note if you hold a dual nationality, of which one nationality is British, you may still be considered but this is dependent on your dual nationality.

Desirable Criteria for Materials Scientist:

• Classified or Monitored worker status/ experience.
• Familiarity with the utilisation of MSMs and active working.

About the Company

We are harnessing nuclear science to benefit society Our four key focus areas are; clean energy, nuclear medicine, environmental restoration and security and non-proliferation Working from seven unique facilities across the UK, our 1,400 colleagues combine their expertise to push the boundaries of science – improving the future for our planet and everyone on it.

Join us and discover a career where anything is possible.

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