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Nuclear Physicist (Research Technologist)

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

Job Introduction

A vacancy has arisen in the Nuclear and Reactor Physics team for a high calibre, motivated scientist or engineer with expertise relevant to nuclear physics and modelling. This individual will help NNL deliver high quality, innovative products and services to its customers in both the UK and overseas. In addition, he/she will contribute to nuclear R&D which is helping to shape UK energy policy and strategy towards a low carbon future.

Candidates must be qualified physicist and have the ability to: (a) critically interrogate large amounts of technical information relating to a complex problem, and identify the key issues and resources; and (b) solve complex problems in an innovative manner, using physics/engineering theory, experimental data, computer programming, and available information and tools (e.g. computer software).  

Role Responsibility

The Nuclear Physics section of the Nuclear and Reactor Physics team is based primarily in NNL’s Central Laboratory at Sellafield. The section’s work includes:

  • the use of proprietary reactor physics codes and irradiated fuel inventory codes to determine the composition of nuclear waste
  • development of radiation transport solutions to provide radiation shielding and instrument design
  • nuclear data evaluation and validation of reactor physics codes and irradiated fuel inventory codes
  • general consultancy work for both NNL staff and external customers in the area of applied nuclear physics
  • Authorship, checking and approval of technical documents (calculations notes, technical memos and technical reports)
  • Present work performed to customers, and at international conferences, project meetings, etc
  • Computer program development and verification in UNIX, FORTRAN, C++ and/or Visual Basic
  • Deliver on (internal and external) customer projects to time, in budget, and to required environmental, health, safety and quality (EHSS&Q) standards
  • Support the Business Leader and Business Manager on promotion of NNL and its work (including writing articles for scientific journals, trade magazines and NNL corporate publications, producing conference papers, and preparing presentations)
  • Assist the Nuclear Physics Leads in building and maintaining strong collaborative links within the NNL and with partner organisations (including universities, international nuclear laboratories and international nuclear research centres)
  • Keep abreast of developments in the reactor physics field and in the wider nuclear industry (via news feeds, journals, conferences, training courses, etc)
  • Participate in relevant international R&D programmes
  • Develop relationships with client organisations, in part by adding value to customer work
  • Be actively involved in NNL improvement projects/initiatives (e.g. EHSS&Q objectives, Knowledge Management)
  • Comply with all legislative, regulatory and company policy standards and procedures e.g. safety, quality, risk, security etc. applicable to the role.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Skills/Qualification

  • Post graduate degree (PhD or equivalent) in experimental or theoretical nuclear physics or relevant level of experience
  • Programming experience in C variants and / or Fortran
  • Experience using Monte-Carlo computer codes (e.g. MCNP/Geant 4)
  • Comfortable in working in a team environment
  • Ability to progress work tasks so as to meet fixed deadlines
  • Ability to liaise with Project Managers to ensure that work is delivered to meet time, cost and quality requirements
  • Ability to partake in complex nuclear consultancy and R&D projects with minimum supervision individually or as part of a team
  • Willingness to develop reactor physics knowledge and skills through formal training and self-directed study
  • Evidence of problem solving and information seeking
  • Competent user of Microsoft Office suite
  • Good oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
  • Excellent technical writing skills (evidence of published conference papers, journal articles, technical reports, etc)
  • Ability to present complex technical information, ideas and concepts
  • Eligibility for Membership of a relevant professional Institution
  • Good data manipulation and visualisation skills

Desirable Skills/Qualifications

  • Post-doctoral research experience
  • Experience using Unix / Linux systems
  • Experience/knowledge of Nuclear Data and Experimental Nuclear Data Measurement
  • Appropriate experience in a relevant physics or related role
  • Demonstrable significant experience in application of neutronics codes in criticality, shielding, inventory and/or reactor analysis

About the Company

We play a key role in the UK and global nuclear industry. That means reducing the cost of clean-up and decommissioning, maintaining critical skills and attracting talented new people to the industry. We're the only UK organisation with the skills, facilities and expertise to provide technical support to all aspects of the nuclear industry. What's more, we pride ourselves on offering quality, value and service to every one of our customers.

National Nuclear Laboratory

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