Internal Vacancies

The salary range for this position is £56,168 to £61,405 (Grade 4A).

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Genevieve Boshoff.

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter. 

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team.

Job Description for Senior Research Technologist:

NNL is where you’ll experiment to help solve global challenges. As part of our Waste Management & Decommissioning capability, your work will impact the lives of generations. By finding new ways to avoid, reduce, store and treat nuclear waste, and drive down the cost of decommissioning, you’ll help to deliver cleaner energy and influence our nation’s energy future. You’ll face new challenges every day, working in unique locations on ground-breaking projects. Whichever area you specialise in this is a place to do great science for a good cause.

The UK National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is seeking a talented biogeochemist to join the Effluents, Environmental and Decontamination Chemistry team within WM&D. The team carries out R&D and provides operational plant support services covering the management of liquid effluents, decommissioning, management of radioactive contaminated land and both surface and geological disposal. The successful applicant will participate in leading and delivering a range of projects supporting these areas.

This is an important role working closely with Technical Leads and will require interaction with a range of internal and external customers. The successful candidate should have a PhD in Geochemistry / Biogeochemistry and have experience in both experimental and modelling projects studying the behaviour of radionuclides in changing geochemical environments, with relevance to effluent treatment, decontamination and environmental restoration. They should have a clear understanding of the UKs disposal programme and the ability to contribute to NNLs strategic positioning. The position will provide opportunities for the successful candidate to author high impact publications and to be actively involved in knowledge exchange with the nuclear industry and work closely with a range of university partners. 

The location for this role is flexible and can be based at Culham, Stonehouse or Risley.

Main Responsibilities for Senior Research Technologist:

• Provide technical leadership in the planning and implementation of experimental programmes relating to sub-surface biogeochemistry and the fate of radionuclides in the sub-surface. 
• Apply their expertise in microbial and geochemical modelling to support R&D programmes and innovation programmes in coupled processes modelling. 
• Support the modelling DTL in the development of sub-surface modelling capability across NNL. 
• Develop and maintain technical links with relevant core science theme leads within the W&ET capability to support the delivery of research programmes. 
• Liaise and work with stakeholders within NNL to benefit the team (e.g. account directors, innovation team, research fellows, CISO, focus area leads etc).
• Develop commercial work programmes and collaborative research with academia and partner organisations.
• Develop UKRI submissions and work closely with academic partners to deliver nationally important research programmes.
• Represent NNL at national forums. 
• Train and develop other team members, and mentor junior staff members.
• Work alongside project / programme managers and customers to ensure that work is delivered to time, cost, quality and safety requirements.
• Keep abreast of developments in their own field, apply them to projects and disseminate to the wider NNL technical community.
• Provide support to develop the skills and abilities of others for the benefit of the company. 
• Ensure compliance with all NNL procedures and maintenance of technical quality during projects. 
• Support team to meet objectives.
  

Essential Criteria for Senior Research Technologist:

• PhD in chemistry or geochemistry. 
• Experienced user of OpenGeoSys and OpenGeoSys-PHREEQC interface.
• Experienced user of PhreeqC, PARAVIEW, GINA and GMSH.
• Experience in COMSOL Multiphysics and the ability to support capability development in interfacing COMSOL-PHREEQC. 
• A proven track record on undertaking research in Disposal programmes (geosciences / geochemistry and engineered barrier systems).
• Proven track record of adapting to new modelling tools and willingness to develop in PFLOTRAN.
• An all-round understanding of NNL lab facilities, and the ability to direct/introduce novel capability to support Disposal programmes.
• An established network of academic collaborators to support NNL’s Disposal programme.
• Excellent communication skills with a proven ability to present technical information to others in the technical community, customers and academia across all levels, where necessary.
• A proven track record in producing high quality technical reports and / or journal publications. 
• Proven ability to analyse data and act upon findings.
• 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.
• Professional Chartership.
• Ability to obtain BPSS level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment and criminal record checks). 

Desirable Criteria for Senior Research Technologist:

• Track record of successfully developing work programmes with key customers.
• Knowledge of the implementation of microbial processes in sub-surface models.