Chemical and Research Analyst (Measurement and Analysis)

Job Introduction

Job Description for Chemical and Research Analyst (Measurement and Analysis):

This is where your skills play a critical role in keeping everyone safe. Working in Safety, Security & Safeguards gives you the chance to make your mark on some hugely interesting projects. NNL does work that nobody else in the sector is doing, and this means we need experts like you to make it possible, whilst keeping everyone safe. We’re committed to using nuclear science to benefit society for years to come. This means that you can build a long and successful career here whilst playing a meaningful role in delivering cleaner energy, reducing waste and keeping colleagues and the public out of harm’s way.

The Measurement and Analysis team at Preston sits within the NNL Nuclear Operations Capability. The team is continuing to grow and develop to meet the current and future demand across a number of large scale technical programmes. The team predominantly supports large scale technical programmes of work such as post-irradiation examination (PIE) isotopic analysis for defence and civil customers, with development of analytical techniques undertaken at NNL Preston Laboratory, and ISO17025 accredited measurements for customers in the Health and Nuclear Medicine, Environmental Restoration and Clean Energy business areas.

The National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is seeking a post doctorate level chemist with experience in analytical chemistry. The individual should also enjoy laboratory working and be comfortable with developing their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of nuclear science and technology. The role will provide resilience to the team across a number of process and analytical chemistry disciplines and support the delivery of R&D programmes to our customers. 

Many of the challenges you will work on are unique and therefore most important is the curiosity to learn and the ability to apply your knowledge to practical scenarios. The role will provide you with the opportunity to be involved at the earliest stages of some of NNL’s highest-profile programmes of work, allowing you to build up your knowledge and experience through practical exposure.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, safety case specialists and plant operators and we will draw on your technical skills and knowledge to provide robust technical solutions to problems. The successful candidate will work predominantly in controlled areas within NNL’s Preston Laboratory, reaching out into other NNL facilities as required, with limited opportunities for home working. The role has the potential to access both technical and behavioural developmental courses with a defined career progression.

Experience in the radiochemistry or radioanalytical chemistry is desirable but not essential, as all training will be provided but the ability to obtain SC clearance is essential.

Main Responsibilities for Chemical and Research Analyst (Measurement and Analysis):

• Work alongside project/programme managers and customers to ensure that work is delivered to time, cost, quality and safety requirements.
• Analyse and troubleshoot equipment operability, technical queries, and performance issues.
• Mentoring junior staff to support their technical career development under the guidance of the Team Manger and Senior Technical Lead.
• Development and validation of technical methods within the team.
• Production of concise and accurate technical reports.
• Developing relationships thorough technical interactions with M&A customers (both internal and external) to develop and grow the capability.
• Assist in gaining and maintaining UKAS accreditation across the analytical techniques within the Measurement & Analysis capability at Preston Laboratory.

Essential Criteria for Chemical and Research Analyst (Measurement and Analysis):

• PhD (and BSc/MSc Chemistry). 
• Experience in:
  • Analytical chemistry
  • Mass spectrometry
  • Radiochemistry
  • Separation Chemistry
• Excellent communication skills in order to communicate with the wider technical team, instrument suppliers and experts from other companies.
• Pragmatic and pro-active approach in responding to technical and organisational challenges.
• Excellent and demonstrable appreciation of the need to balance R&D objectives with customer requirements and commercial opportunities.
• Evidence of defining and upholding exemplary standards in safety and quality.
• 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 Chemical and Research Analyst (Measurement and Analysis):

• Experience of Technical Working Groups, attending workshops, writing/presenting technical papers and presenting at both local and international conferences.

Why join us?

NNL isn’t just a place where you can do career-defining work that makes a real-world impact. It’s also a place where you’ll feel appreciated and valued. We’re creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is free to be themselves and feel like they belong. We put your wellbeing first, we push you to reach your potential, and we do everything possible to help you feel safe, supported and inspired.

We also offer a range of employee benefits:

• Sector leading Family-Focused Policies: celebrate life events, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and a week off for your marriage.
• NNL offers attractive pension plans. If you contribute 5%, NNL contributes 15%. Alternatively, if you choose not to contribute (0%), NNL will still contribute 10%.
• Annual Leave: Benefit from 25.5 days of leave, plus 4 extra days to be taken during Christmas shutdown, plus Bank Holidays.
• Reduced gym membership with discounts of up to 25% from 3,700 gym and leisure providers across the UK
• Company Bonus: Be rewarded for your contributions.
• Learning Opportunities: Enhance your skills through excellent development programmes.
• Employee Assistance: Access support for personal and professional challenges.
• Cycle to Work: Stay active and eco-friendly.
• Life Assurance: Ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Sick Pay Benefits: Receive support during illness or injury.
• Access to ‘Mydiscounts’ which has a range of special offers and discounts from more than 200 suppliers, including medical insurance and dental insurance. 
• Health Care: Health savings plan which allows you to claim money back on visits to the dentist, optician and/or physiotherapist (limits apply).

About The Company

NNL is an incredible place to work. A place where people do things that have never been done before. A place where people push boundaries to further themselves, the business and society as a whole.

This is a place where personal and professional opportunities are limitless. If you want to change the world, if you want to tackle climate change, if you want to help advance medical science, if you want to help put things in space, if you want to answer the big questions, if you want to work with extraordinary materials, if you want to meet great people, learn new skills, challenge yourself, work flexibly, and build a long successful career with the power to make a real impact… you can do it all here.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory