Radiation Protection Advisor

Job Introduction

Job Description for Radiation Protection Advisor:

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At NNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at NNL, anything is possible.

To provide radiological protection advice, championing and fostering an environment for change and adoption of industry radiological protection best practices.  Maximising independently recognised RP knowledge and experience (e.g., CRadP, RPA) to influence and guide a broad range of stakeholders on adoption of proportionate radiological protection practices that support the growth of the NNL Preston Facility.  Promulgation of guidance on a diverse range of operational activities and broad spectrum of radiological fingerprints in regard to existing laboratory research & development activities, plant scale processing, decommissioning and facility modifications and introduction of new operational activities.

Acting as intelligent customer on Licensee arrangements on behalf of NNL as the tenant organisation which will require engagement with the SFL radiation protection professionals.

Collaborating and working with a broad range of internal subject matter experts, such as design, nuclear safety assessors and technical specialists in ensuring the facility radiological risks are managed to ALARP.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Radiation Protection Advisor:

• Provision of competent guidance and advice on radiological safety to ensure legislative compliance and adoption of industry best practice.
• Championing the development and implementation of improvements to radiation protection systems, processes and infrastructure.
• Preparation, review and approval of radiological protection and facility process documentation, e.g. operating instructions, risk assessments, compliance statements, plant modification proposals, ALARP assessments.
• Technical guidance and consideration of suitability of selection and calibrations of RPI / sources / monitoring systems in support of the dynamically changing operational activities.
• Enable RP responsibility cascade through partnering and delegating RP authorities to compliance team members and RPS’s via coaching, mentoring and underpinning with system and process implementation and formation of RP work groups.
• Preparation and delivery of radiological protection training, coaching and mentoring to a broad range of internal stakeholders.
• Maintain knowledge of radiological best practices and maintain currency of UK legislation on RP matters and ensure timely organisational alignment with changes.
• Assurance and oversight activities supporting the facility in maintaining a sound safety posture and ensure arrangements are in place to capture radiological performance and review (operational doses, contamination levels, plant practices etc).
• Reporting of performance to the facility management team and safety committee via metrics and reports, setting and advising on required improvement activities.
• Provision of input and advice in the event of incidents or accidents involving radioactive materials.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Radiation Protection Advisor:

• RPA 2000 certificate of competence, accredited Health physicist or experience of being a senior Health Physicist (close to RPA submission or part of corporate RPA) within the Nuclear Industry.
• Demonstrable experience in taking on responsibility, can do attitude and using initiative to prioritise work effectively under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask and re-prioritise to meet changing needs and project deadlines in a team environment.
• A through awareness of nuclear, conventional safety and security requirements applicable to their areas of responsibility.
• 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 Radiation Protection Advisor:

• Strong technical skills in considerations of diverse radiological fingerprints.
• RWA status or proven background in waste management strategies.
• Growth and continual improvement mindset with background in implementing change.
• Proven background in undertaking QP or supporting QP activities.
• Experience of interfacing with regulatory inspectors and auditors (e.g. ONR).
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Environmental Permitting Regulations.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Carriage of Dangerous Goods Regulations.
• Demonstrable knowledge of the Radiation Emergency Preparedness and Public Information Regulations.
• General awareness of Safety Case implementation methodology.

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