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The job details
Post Doctorate Scheme 2025 - Fuel Performance Scientist
Category: Fuel, Reactor and Reprocessing
Salary: Salary starting at £43,902
Closing Date: 2025-03-02
Location: Preston, Lancashire
The salary range for this position is £43,902 (Grade 4C).
If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact nnlearlycareers@uknnl.com
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
UKNNL is where your understanding of reactors fuels the nation. As part of our Fuel Reactor & Reprocessing capability, you’ll play a vital role in developing the UK fuel cycle in line with advances in new technology and new processes. As old reactors reach the end of their lifespan, we need experts like you, with the technical skills to virtually model scenarios that not only enable us to explore new ways of managing the inputs and outputs of reactors, but also pave the way for the implementation of smaller, cleaner revolutionary new reactors. This is a place where you can use your knowledge and expertise to do long term meaningful work for years to come.
As the national laboratory for nuclear fission in the UK, we are harnessing nuclear science to solve some of the world’s biggest challenges.
UKNNL is looking for a Post Doctorate to join the established and growing Fuel Performance area to work to become a specialist in Fuel Performance. The team are responsible for conducting a range of challenging experiments and investigations on nuclear fuel, in addition to the significant involvement in a number of international collaborations and research.
UKNNL are expanding their fuel performance capability to meet the exciting challenges and opportunities presented by development of new fuel and reactor concepts in the UK and abroad, including the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) programme. NNL has a successful history in Fuel Performance, having developed its own code and established a robust research programme to support this critical area.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in Mathematics or Physics.
You will have the right to work in the UK and be able to achieve 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).
Main Responsibilities
We are developing the next generation of technical experts. Not only will you receive the opportunity to work on challenging and exciting projects, but you’ll continually learn from skilled and knowledgeable industry experts who are leaders in their field. We will help you become everything you can be, by challenging, stretching, and pushing you to your limits while supporting you every step of the way.
You will develop a broad knowledge of fuel performance and fuel technologies pertinent to the nuclear industry and have opportunities to engage in international collaborations, enabling you to maintain awareness and actively contribute to global advancements in the field. Alongside this, you will have allocated time and funds to further your own areas of interest through research and conference attendance.
Our Fuel Performance team have strong analytical and critical thinking skills, and possess expertise in coding languages such as Fortran, C++, and Python. We are looking for someone who can contribute to and build upon this foundation.
Your responsibilities will include:
- Developing models to describe aspects of fuel performance such as gas diffusion, nuclear physics, mechanical properties and thermo-physical properties
- Evaluating data from irradiated fuel to compare with models and develop understanding of fuel performance
- Advising on experimental approaches that will fill current knowledge gasps, working with a range of disciplines and making use of NNL’s extensive and unique facilities for examining and testing irradiated fuel
This is a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative and forward-thinking team, contributing to impactful work in a dynamic and evolving sector.
UKNNL recognises that academia and industry are very different environments, our Postdoctoral Development Scheme will smooth the transition whilst supporting you as you take your first steps towards becoming a Subject Matter Expert.
Your two-year scheme will provide the opportunity to develop your technical knowledge and skills whilst providing you with an insight into UKNNL’s strategy and direction. You will receive an overview of how the company operates and delivers its projects.
You will undertake personal development through training aligned to your personal development plan and understand your strengths, weaknesses, and behaviours. You will receive a personal budget to support your development within your field of expertise.
From day one you’ll have a role in a technical team involved in delivering real customer projects. You will have direct sight of the value that your skills and knowledge have to our industry and by extension our society. The Postdoctoral Development Scheme runs alongside your role, providing you the space and skills to develop in a commercial environment whilst helping you decide how to advance your technical expertise.
Our two-year programme is designed to give you:
- An introduction to UKNNL so you understand where we sit in the wider context of the nuclear industry and how we work
- An introduction to the technical expertise at the core of our business so you understand how your expertise interrelates with our wider technical portfolio
- A clear pathway of technical development
- Commercial awareness of the Business Operations of UKNNL
- Opportunity to network with mid-career professionals and experts
- Mentoring to achieve chartered status with your chosen professional body
- A choice of development activities tailored to you and your career aspirations
- Membership of a cohort of early career professionals to provide support in developing within the company
- The support of a dedicated early careers team and our strong, thriving early careers community.
You will be based at our Preston Laboratory in Lancashire. This role allows for hybrid working with the flexibility to work from home on some of your working days.
As part of the selection process for the Post Doctorate programme you will complete a Technical Interview against the skills and competencies required for this role.