Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is looking for a Biosphere Research Manager to join us on a 18 month fixed term contract to cover maternity leave. The ideal candidates will assist us as we progress the implementation of the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme - the UK’s largest environmental protection project.
We are looking to appoint someone with a broad environmental science background to join our dynamic and collaborative team, and to support implementation of the GDF programme.
- Progressing NWS’s site-specific biosphere characterisation work - working closely with environmental assessment and safety case specialists to support the identification and evaluation of potential sites for a GDF.
- Progressing work on conceptual ecosystem model and site descriptive model development to support biosphere characterisation and provide the basis for related mathematical modelling.
- Supporting the development of NWS’s safety case for the GDF - assessing the potential effects of geological disposal of radioactive waste on human and non-human biota, during both the GDF operational and post-closure phases.
- Identifying research needs in the areas of biosphere characterisation and biosphere evolution, developing and implementing an appropriate research strategy to meet these needs.
- Providing subject matter expert capability to the academic-facing environmental science discipline for the Research Support Office (https://www.research-support-office-gdf.ac.uk/).
- This role will work alongside NWS’s existing Biosphere Research Managers.
The candidate will be qualified to PhD level, and will have subsequent experience in areas such as:
- Understanding functional ecosystem processes - both biotic and abiotic (biogeochemical).
- Developing site descriptive and conceptual ecosystem models.
- Conducting environmental risk assessments for people and the environment for radiological and/or non-radiological pollutants.
- Biosphere characterisation and environmental monitoring.
- Understanding of the needs of the GD safety case for geological disposal and its scientific basis
- Familiarity with the form, nature and characteristics of the UK’s higher activity radioactive wastes, including both radioactive and non-radiological components.
- Strong communication skills and experience of managing relationships with internal stakeholders, regulators & other external stakeholders and interdisciplinary projects.
Due to the broad nature of this role, experience across all areas is desirable but not vital. Similarly, the candidate does not necessarily need nuclear/radiological experience.
- On appointment to an RWM, full-time staff are entitled to a generous annual holiday allowance of 38 days’ annual leave. LLWR up to 43 days in addition to a buy/sell scheme
- Rewarding performance (bonus scheme)
- We offer a generous above average pension scheme
- 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
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. 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, we 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. In cases where we have a high volume of disabled candidates who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.