Senior Research Manager (Biosphere)

Job Description

Main Accountabilities

The main accountabilities associated with the role are: 

• Supporting the development of NWS’ Environmental Safety Case, assessing the potential effects of geological disposal on human and non-human biota on the basis of commissioned research and international best practice, during the operational and long-term post-closure phases of a GDF.
• Ownership of the biosphere numerical modelling approach and its implementation.
• Leading NWS’ site-specific biosphere characterisation work - working closely with environmental assessment and environmental safety case specialists to support the identification and evaluation of potential sites for a GDF.
• Identifying research needs in the areas of biosphere characterisation and biosphere evolution, and develop and implement an appropriate research strategy to meet these needs
• Procuring and managing supply chain support for this work.
• Acting as a representative of NWS at national and international scientific fora and events relevant to the biosphere research strategy and being responsible for understanding the content and relevance of overseas research programmes to NWS’ environmental safety case and environmental assessment work.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience Required 

• Numerate degree (e.g. maths / physics / chemistry), preferably to PhD level and employment history (industrial, academic) in a relevant environmental or scientific discipline.
• Experience in modelling environmental systems (climate, marine and terrestrial systems):
  •  Modelling to predict the transfer of radionuclides through the terrestrial and marine environment and atmosphere (e.g. PC CREAM, ADMS).
  • Ability to programme (e.g. Python, C++, R, MatLab) an advantage).
  • Familiarity with of hydrological modelling tools and techniques (e.g. MIKE SHE)
  • Appreciation of probabilistic simulation software tools such as GoldSim.
• Understanding of numerical modelling of long-term climate change and its implications for future populations in the vicinity of the geological disposal facility.
• Understanding the biosphere as the receptor in the safety case for geological disposal of radioactive wastes, together with practitioner capability in modern biosphere transfer and uptake software (e.g. ERICA) and related data requirements.
• Experience in managing biosphere characterisation programmes, including assessment of non-human biota population densities and the treatment of human habits in dose assessment would be advantageous.
• Ability to prepare high quality written technical reports and deliver verbal presentations to a variety of audiences.
• Self-motivate, enjoys working with a range of stakeholders, with the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and environment on challenging problems.
• Chartership with a relevant institution (or already working towards being chartered).

Job Context & Challenges

The role has three key components. Firstly, supporting the specification and management of site-specific biosphere characterisation and, secondly, to manage the programme of research required to develop sufficient understanding of the long-term impact of potential low-level releases to the environment to enable the GDF post-closure safety case. Thirdly, to support the operational environmental safety assessment through modelling of authorised / accidental operational environmental discharges.

RWM T&C Only Grade 4-3

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;
​​​​​​​

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

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

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