Radiological Instrumentation Specialist in Reading

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: £38,020 - £50,000 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Ready to play your part? At AWE, it’s not just a job, it’s far more than that. Our shared purpose is to help keep the nation safe. Could this role be the opportunity for you to play your part?

The Radiological Instrumentation & Calibration (RI&C) group deliver a comprehensive capability in the fields of conventional and radiological metrology. The position is within the instrument calibration and repair team, with connections to the wider radiation metrology field. The team is responsible for processing several thousand calibrations per year using specialised equipment. As a Radiological Instrumentation Specialist, you will be required to work as part of a small team of scientists responsible for the technical underpinning of the calibration services, working under the established Technical Leads.

Responsibilities include:

• Provision of regulatory testing and calibration of ionising radiation instrumentation
• Work towards appointment as a Qualified Person (QP) under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17)
• Evaluation of new radiological instrumentation
• Supervision of periodic calibrations
• Training of staff
• Compliance monitoring of calibration systems by:
• Validation against relevant standards
• Maintenance of traceability to (inter)national standards
• Carrying out internal audits
• Providing updates to senior colleagues on status of work via briefings / presentations / reports, with recommendations
• Building/maintaining excellent working relationships with industry peers by:
• Attending and being part of working groups which review and comment on relevant British / international standards and UK Good Practice Guides
• Internal Ministry of Defence community of practice
• Industry conferences and meetings
• UKAS assessments
• Preparation and maintenance of internal and external documentation including scientific reports, process instructions and training materials
• Advising stakeholders from varying technical backgrounds, including support in addressing customer complaints / technical queries
• Support team leaders, other process owners and other AWE technical experts as required

Who are we looking for?

We do need you to have the following:

• Self-motivation and initiative to continually drive own progress, taking responsibility to propose and implement solutions
• Physics degree or equivalent
• Ability to analyse scientific, technical and operational problems
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant BS, ISO and IEC standards
• Good interpersonal and written communications skills, able to use the appropriate style and method for a wide range of situations and media
• Enthusiasm for the subject with the ability to enthuse others
• Understand, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships
• Hold, or be willing and able to attain, Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Planning and implementing challenging projects, project management principles, techniques, and tools
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods, challenges, standards and legislation associated within ionising radiation metrology
• Working in an ISO 17025 accredited lab environment
• Delivering formal lectures and training
• Working in a customer facing team that delivers technically complex services in an area with stringent technical requirements
• Working in an auditor role

Work hard, be rewarded:

We ask a lot and set the bar high because our work truly matters. In return we offer balance, with award winning benefits including:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
• Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.