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Experimental Rig Operator

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

Job Introduction

The experimental rig operator will be part of the Effluents and Environmental Chemistry team within the Waste Behaviour and Characterisation business area of WM&D. This position provides an ideal opportunity to gain insight and experience in the nuclear industry and to work closely with experienced engineers and chemists.

Applicants will have a key hands-on role and will participate in the delivery of a range of projects supporting nuclear decommissioning. You will be responsible for operating non-radioactive experimental rigs and carrying out bench-scale experimental work in support of the rig programmes. You will analyse data from the rigs and experimental programmes, produce reports and present information at Customer meetings. You will maintain focus on the safe delivery of the work while delivering to customer expectations.

It is anticipated that, while the candidates primary focus will be in the effluents area, there may be opportunity to support work in other areas including nuclear decontamination, remediation and geodisposal.

Role Responsibility

• Undertake duties as directed by the Capability Manager, Technical Lead and/or Lead Technologist. 

• Interface with Customers to develop project work and maintain relationships.

• Define and contribute to experimental and rig proposals and programmes.

• Deliver research projects including supporting team members. 

• Gather and analyse experimental and rig data, produce, deliver and present on technical reports. 

• Operate pilot/concept rigs (sand bed filters, chemical precipitation, ultrafiltration) and carry out real-time analysis of experimental progress, making changes and adapting where necessary.

• Carry out bench-scale experimental work in support of rig campaigns or other projects. 

• Organise analytical requirements for operational campaigns and experimental work within NNL and with external analysis suppliers. 

• Carryout analysis of samples from experimental work and rig campaigns. 

• Prepare safety paperwork and experimental documentation and liaise with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safe delivery of work.

• Develop and maintain own expertise.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills/Qualification

• Minimum postgraduate qualification (MSc) in relevant scientific subject, e.g. chemistry, geochemistry or chemical engineering.

• Proven ability to work in a laboratory environment or on experimental rigs. 

• Proven ability to analyse data and act upon findings.

• Proven ability to present technical information to others in the technical community, customers and academia where necessary. 

• Good problem solving, analytical thinking and decision-making skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.

• Strong computer skills including proficiency in MS Office. 

• Proven ability to communicate effectively.

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

• PhD in relevant scientific subject. e.g. chemistry, geochemistry or chemical engineering.

• Familiarity with analytical techniques for effluent analysis e.g. TOC, ICP-MS. 

• Familiarity with control and instrumentation systems. 

• Member of a professional institute. 

• Full clean driver’s license and willing to travel occasionally.

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.

National Nuclear Laboratory

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