Radiolysis Scientist (FTC - 24 Months)

Job Introduction

Job Description for Radiolysis 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 24-month research associate position, with the objective to investigate the effects of metal/water interfaces on the radiolytic generation of hydrogen, 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 in skills in an area of significance for 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 NNL Central Laboratory and Sellafield Ltd on the Sellafield Site during the first 8 months of the project.  The second (8- month duration) part of the project will be based at the NNL Central Laboratory with experimental irradiation work at the Dalton Cumbria Facility.  The final 8 months of the project will be based at the NNL Central Laboratory and Sellafield Ltd on the Sellafield Site performing further experimental work and gaining knowledge on plant.
This work will include literature research, collaboration with experts from across the nuclear industry, and practical experiments to assess simplified mechanistic aspects of irradiating wetted surfaces. The research topic is important to the ARC programme as radiolysis can significantly affect the safe management of alpha active material. The successful candidate will engage with operations groups within each organisation in order to obtain information on plant scenarios where this phenomenon has been observed. Such information is important to compare with experimental scale results in order to permit multi-scale comparison of hydrogen yields. 
NNL and other ARC programme members are involved in a range of active research topics associated with radiolysis. A key objective of the ARC 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.
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.
Background to research topic:
The focus of research during the appointment will be the effect of inter-phase surfaces (such as arise in thin water films on the surface of metallic or oxide solids) on the rate of radiolysis. Such inter-phase surfaces are known to enhance radiolysis due to transfer of energy from the solid surface to the water phase. 
In the simple case of gamma-irradiated two-phase systems the principle is that the material with the greater electron density stops more of the radiation per unit volume. If that is a solid, immersed in water, then the solid material develops energy centres, which are mobile through the crystal lattice, such that when an energy centre arrives at a solid / water phase boundary it then transfers energy to the contacting water molecules and effectively results in more radiolysis. Consequently, the hydrogen yield is enhanced above that expected based on the levels of energy deposited directly into the water. Enhanced radiolysis may have consequences for safe management of the plant or process concerned. The extent of energy transfer is difficult to predict and has numerous dependencies.
The research post will focus on understanding the effects at actinide metal surfaces; for example, where adsorbed water films form on the surfaces of alpha active solid. In this case, capture of alpha particles within the solid, and transfer of the resulting energy to the water layer enhances radiolysis above the levels expected from energy deposited in the water layer alone.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Radiolysis 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 ARC programme in order to develop an understanding of plant process where relevant operational experience is available,
• 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 Radiolysis 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 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 Radiolysis 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