Offshore Site Investigation Manager/Geologist

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Pre-SCDP Phase (Pre-2028)

• Provide technical leadership for the planning and development of offshore deep borehole investigations.
• Define site characterisation objectives in collaboration with NWS technical leads and subject matter experts.
• Plan and specify offshore borehole operations, including borehole design, data acquisition (e.g., wireline logging, geophysical surveys), hydro-testing, and in situ stress testing.
• Develop and deliver tools and techniques to support offshore site characterisation.
• Prepare technical specifications to support procurement of investigation services and related activities.
• Lead the development of Site Characterisation Plans to:
• Inform regulatory submissions (e.g., Environmental Permits, Development Consent Order).
• Support the procurement and onboarding of the Site Characterisation Delivery Partner (SCDP).

Post-SCDP Appointment (From 2028)

• Support the mobilisation and onboarding of the SCDP, ensuring effective knowledge transfer and alignment with NWS objectives.
• Oversee SCDP preparations and enabling works for offshore borehole campaigns.
• Collaborate with NWS SMEs and functions to develop operational procedures and governance frameworks.
• Act as the Intelligent Client for offshore site characterisation, providing strategic oversight and technical assurance.
• Work with SCRD Leads to develop internal resourcing plans to maintain NWS’s intelligent customer capability.
• Ensure integration of site investigation outputs with programme requirements and safety case development.
• Promote and uphold NWS and international HSE standards across all offshore operations.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Essential:
• Degree in Geoscience, Geotechnical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Significant experience in offshore deep borehole operations (planning, specification, or delivery).
• Proven leadership in subsurface or geoscientific projects, including contractor and team coordination.
• Strong understanding of site characterisation techniques applicable to depths of 200–1000m.
• Familiarity with borehole data acquisition methods (e.g., geophysical logging, hydro-testing, stress testing).
• Experience in procurement processes for site investigations, from specification through to contract delivery.
• Ability to critically evaluate technical approaches and challenge established methodologies.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to represent NWS in high-level external engagements.
• Desirable:
• Postgraduate qualification in a geoscience discipline.
• Chartered Geologist or Engineer status (or working towards).
• Experience with nationally significant infrastructure or nuclear-related projects.
• Knowledge of UK regulatory frameworks for offshore investigations and environmental permitting.

For internal candidates currently on RWM T&C’s, the RWM grade equivalent for this role is 3-2

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Who are we?

Simply put, our job is to secure a safer future for us all. We do this by managing and disposing of the UK’s nuclear radioactive waste safely and securely for generations to come. We have a critical role in the biggest multi-decade clean-up project in Europe. As part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, we provide permanent answers for nuclear waste.

Nuclear Waste Services builds on the work delivered at the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) site and the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, maintaining these key activities whilst also adding further essential services for customers in the nuclear energy, defence, industrial, medical, and research sectors. Maintaining and developing this knowledge and experience is key to securing and developing our unique nuclear waste capabilities for the UK and the rest of the world

If you join Nuclear Waste Services, you’ll be part of a team that brings together some of the most brilliant minds from around the UK, working across many specialisms – scientific, engineering, safety, operations, commercial, community engagement, and regulatory – to name a few.

We want Nuclear Waste Services to be a great place​ to work where people are respected, included and can perform at their best. We do this by living our Nuclear Waste Services values;
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We are action orientated ​​​​​​​- We deliver for our customers, partners, and people safely & securely.

We are collaborative and inclusive - We have greater success when we work together.

We are ambitious - We are problem solvers who embrace and act upon new challenges.​​​​​

We act with integrity - We are trusted to build a safe, secure and sustainable future

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What's in it for you?

• On appointment to NWS you will receive 25.5 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and you can accrue up to 13 extra days leave
• Rewarding performance (annual bonus scheme)
• We offer a generous pension scheme through CNNP
• learning and development support
• payment of relevant annual professional subscriptions
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Financial advice assistance
• Flexible working
• Extended family-friendly policies
• Cycle to work scheme
• We welcome flexible and agile working practices
• Flexible working requests can be submitted from day 1 of employment

 

Please note: all of our roles will require the successful applicant to achieve BPSS Security Clearance. Some of our roles may require a higher level of clearance to be achieved. If this is required, this will be detailed in the Job Requirements section. The Security Clearance process will be explained by your recruiter but if you do have any questions about this process, please reach out to a member of the Talent Acquisition Team at nws.recruitment@nuclearwasteservices.uk

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Equal Opportunities

We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. At Nuclear Waste Service we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.

In promoting equal opportunities, Nuclear Waste Service welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We select people according to their abilities and our needs. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. 

Please note: Nuclear Waste Services reserves the right to close the vacancy early. 

If you have any queries or would like to discuss this role, please email nws.recruitment@nuclearwasteservices.uk