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The job details
Reactor Physicist
Category: Fuel, Reactor and Reprocessing
Salary: Salary starting at £56,168
Closing Date: 2025-01-29
Location: Preston, Lancashire
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 Jack Clements.
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 Reactor Physicist:
A vacancy has arisen in the Nuclear and Reactor Physics team for an experienced, reactor physicist with a particular interest in undertaking applied nuclear and reactor physics and fuel cycle modelling projects on behalf of our customers in current generation reactor technology, nuclear new build and Advanced Nuclear Technology (ANT).
The position has responsibility for technical leadership of fuel cycle modelling capabilities, supporting projects (whether Core Science, UKNNL strategic investments or direct customer delivery) and undertaking reactor physics calculations involving technologies such as (but not limited to):
- Advanced Modular Reactors (AMR) including High Temperature Gas Reactors (HTGR)
- Small Modular Reactors (SMR)
- Molten Salt Reactors (MSR)
- Lead Cooled Fast Reactors (LFR)
- Sodium Cooled Fast Reactors (SFR)
- Research reactors and micro reactors
The applicant will not be expected to have experience and knowledge of all of these reactor types, but will require sufficient knowledge and experience to define technical projects and programmes that support research and development or commercial opportunities that relate to them.
The position holder will ideally be able to demonstrate expertise and experience from the areas of core neutronics, thermal hydraulics, in addition to nuclear fuel cycle modelling. They will be expected to have working practitioner experience in core neutronics or thermal hydraulics, but previous experience in any of the other areas would also be valuable. They will also contribute to the Security & Non-Proliferation strategic agenda for UKNNL utilising experience in Nuclear Safeguards and Proliferation and Physical Protection.
The position requires close supervision of junior staff (or colleagues), focussing in particular on the skills and capability development of junior staff or colleagues in relevant areas of expertise. The job also has accountability for the development, delivery and deployment of software relevant to the capability where required.
The location for the role is flexible and can be based at Preston or Risley.
Main Responsibilities for Reactor Physicist:
- Initiating and leading national/international customer, Focus Area and Science and Technology (S&T) programmes related to fuel cycle modelling and the related disciplines of reactor physics and nuclear safeguards.
- Nominated technical lead on projects in the area of fuel cycle modelling supporting the development and progression of capability strategy for fuel cycle modelling and the related discipline of reactor physics.
- Lead and deliver on (internal and external) customer projects to time, in budget, and to required environmental, health, safety, security and quality (EHSS&Q) standards.
- Delivery of technical work to a high quality including authoring, checking and approval of technical calculations, documents and presenting work performed to customers, at international conferences, or project meetings.
- Owning and leading the development of internally owned software packages related to Fuel Cycle Modelling.
- Carrying out neutronics or reactor physics calculations using recognised code packages and in-house codes where required.
- Providing technical guidance to team members to support skills and capability development in fuel cycle modelling through the verifying of assessments and knowledge transfer.
- Maintaining strong collaborative links within UKNNL and with partner/client organisations nationally and internationally, providing expert, authoritative advice.
- Representing UKNNL & UK, contributing to, influencing and leading where appropriate, national and international working or expert groups (such as GIF), maximising the benefit for UKNNL.
- Be actively involved in UKNNL improvement projects/initiatives (e.g. EHSS&Q objectives, Knowledge Management).
Essential Criteria for Reactor Physicist:
- Relevant scientific, mathematics or engineering degree combined with experience in the nuclear industry.
- Extensive knowledge and experience in Fuel Cycle Modelling and the development and use of relevant software in the field.
- Knowledge of Gen IV Reactors and Advanced Nuclear Technologies (ANT) and demonstrated expertise in applying neutronics and reactor physics concepts to the analysis of problems.
- Ability to demonstrate Technical leadership including:
- Technical oversight of projects or programmes to customer requirements related to area of expertise
- Work package scoping and delivery of significant and technical programmes and projects
- Technical development of scientists and engineers
- Demonstrable evidence of providing technical advice to customers in the area of fuel cycle modelling
- Practical experience in using nuclear codes such as:
- Neutronics Codes – (e.g. SERPENT, CASMO/SIMULATE, WIMS, PANTHER, SCALE)
- Particle Transport Codes – (e.g. MCNP, GEANT4, OpenMC)
- Knowledge of programming (C++, Python and/or Fortran or other relevant languages).
- Demonstrated positive attitude towards Health & Safety, Security, Environment, and Quality requirements.
- Professional membership / Chartered Physicist, Engineer or Scientist or actively working towards Chartership.
- Ability to obtain 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).
Desirable Criteria for Reactor Physicist:
- Experience of using UNIX/LINUX operating systems.
- Knowledge and experience in using some codes such as:
- Thermal-hydraulics Codes– (e.g. COBRA, RELAP, TRACE, OpenFoam, StarCCM, or comparable and equivalent)
- Ability to work collaboratively across different sectors with an ability to understand and influence diverse external stakeholders including Universities.