Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is seeking experienced, internationally recognised experts to join its Independent Peer Review Group (PRG) supporting the Environmental Safety Case (ESC) for the UK’s Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR).

This is a rare opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of environmental safety for one of the UK’s most important national infrastructure assets. As NWS continues to develop its Environmental Safety Case, we are seeking up to four highly respected specialists, including aChair, to provide objective challenge and expert insight across the programme.

The Role

The Peer Review Group provides independent scrutiny of the development, integration and presentation of the Environmental Safety Case.

The PRG will review key ESC documentation and supporting technical reports, attend review meetings and technical workshops as appropriate, and provide clear, evidence‑based feedback to NWS. Peer Review comments and responses form an important element of the material considered by regulators in their assessment of the ESC.

We welcome expressions of interest from individuals across all employment backgrounds, including those currently working within partner organisations, academia, or as independent consultants.

Key Responsibilities

PRG members will be expected to:

• Provide independent technical challenge to the development and presentation of the Environmental Safety Case
• Review selected ESC documents and underpinning technical assessments within agreed scopes and timescales
• Assess whether arguments, assumptions and conclusions are sound, well‑evidenced and appropriately justified
• Comment on the treatment of uncertainty and optimisation within the ESC
• Consider the overall coherence and integration of the safety case, not solely individual technical disciplines
• Participate in PRG meetings and workshops (virtually and occasionally in person)
• Provide clear, concise and well‑structured written review comments suitable for formal response and audit
• Act in accordance with agreed Terms of Reference

Additional Responsibilities – PRG Chair

The Independent Chair will additionally:

• Lead the PRG, fostering effective dialogue and balanced challenge
• Agree review scopes, priorities and approaches with NWS
• Ensure consistency and proportionality across PRG comments
• Support the production of PRG summary reports
• Act as the primary interface between the PRG, NWS and regulators

Time Commitment

• Review of documentation and attendance at meetings as required
• Meetings will be a mix of Microsoft Teams and in‑person sessions
• Expected commitment of up to one day per week, with some flexibility depending on programme phase

Location

• Location is largely flexible
• Successful candidates must be willing to travel occasionally for in‑person meetings

Engagement and Payment

• Engagement will be payrolled via Alexander Mann Solutions, NWS’s agency provider
• Recruitment will be managed by the NWS Talent Acquisition team
• Payroll options are PAYE or Umbrella Company
• Daily rate in the region of £800 to £1000 PAYE depending on experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

 Essential

Candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• International standing in the development or application of environmental safety cases for radioactive waste repositories or comparable nuclear facilities
• Deep technical expertise in at least one relevant discipline, such as:
• Hydrogeology and groundwater flow and transport
• Near‑field or engineered barrier processes
• Radiological impact assessment and dose modelling
• Environmental assessment of radioactive waste disposal
• Strong working knowledge of UK legislation and regulatory guidance, including Environment Agency expectations for environmental safety cases
• Experience of providing independent review or assurance of complex technical programmes
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate clear, proportionate challenge

Desirable

It would be advantageous for candidates to have:

• Experience of peer review panels, safety committees or independent advisory groups in a nuclear or high‑hazard context
• Experience working at, advising, or providing peer review for other near‑surface radioactive waste disposal facilities, either in the UK or internationally
• Prior engagement with UK regulators, or direct understanding of regulatory decision‑making processes
• Experience reviewing safety cases spanning multiple technical disciplines
• Familiarity with international guidance and best practice (e.g. IAEA, OECD/NEA)
• Experience balancing detailed technical scrutiny with a strategic, whole‑system perspective
• The ability to challenge constructively while maintaining effective professional relationships

Why Join the PRG?

Membership of the PRG offers a unique opportunity to:

• Contribute directly to the assurance of a nationally significant facility
• Apply your expertise at the highest level of environmental protection and regulatory scrutiny
• Shape best practice in environmental safety case development
• Work alongside other internationally recognised experts in a genuinely independent role

To protect the independence of the Peer Review Group, individuals who have worked directly on the development of the 2026 LLWR Environmental Safety Case, or its supporting technical assessments, will not be eligible for these roles.