Senior Analyst in Preston

Preston, Lancashire, PR4 0XJ

Pay: £45,220 to £45,220 per year, Salary starting at £45,220

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full time

Disability Confident: No

Closing Date: 06/08/2026

About this job

Summary Job Description for Senior Analyst: This role is critical in maintaining safety across the UK Nuclear sector.

Working in Safety, Security & Safeguards gives you the chance to make your mark on some hugely interesting projects.

UKNNL does work that nobody else in the sector is doing, and this means we need experts like you to make it possible, whilst keeping everyone safe.

We're committed to using nuclear science to benefit society for years to come.

This means that you can build a long and successful career here whilst playing a meaningful role in delivering cleaner energy, reducing waste and keeping colleagues and the public out of harm's way.

The Measurement and Analysis team at Preston sits within the UKNNL Nuclear Operations Capability.

It is an ISO17025 accredited, fast paced, high throughput team and priorities can change on a daily basis.

The team depends on SQEP individuals to conduct the customer work to time, cost and quality.

The team is continuing to grow and develop to meet the current and future demand across a number of both large and small scale technical programmes across the Clean Energy, Environmental Restoration, Health and Nuclear Medicine and Security and Non-Proliferation focus areas.

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory (UKNNL) is seeking a graduate level chemist with experience in analytical chemistry.

The individual should relish variety and be able to adapt quickly and multi-task, while also enjoying laboratory working and be comfortable with developing their theoretical and practical knowledge in the field of nuclear science and technology.

The role will provide resilience to the team across a number of process and analytical chemistry disciplines and support the delivery of programmes to our customers.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, safety case specialists and plant operators and we will draw on your technical skills and knowledge to conduct a wide range of analytical techniques and provide robust technical solutions to problems.

The successful candidate will work predominantly in controlled areas within the UKNNL Preston Laboratory, reaching out into other UKNNL facilities as required, with limited opportunities for home working.

Experience in radiochemistry or radioanalytical chemistry is desirable but not essential, as all training will be provided, but the ability to obtain SC clearance is essential.

Main Responsibilities for Senior Analyst

• Work alongside project/programme managers and customers to ensure that work is delivered to time, cost, quality and safety requirements.
• Analyse and troubleshoot equipment operability, technical queries, and performance issues.
• Conduct analytical/radiochemical methods in the Measurement & Analysis Laboratories at Preston.
• Carry out a wide range of analysis techniques including column separations, electrodeposition, liquid scintillation counting, gamma spectrometry and alpha spectroscopy on a day to day basis.
• Preparation of reagents and standards required for the laboratory activities.
• Calculation of results and interpretation of data.
• Assisting with the production of technical reports and memos.
• Development and validation of technical methods within the team.
• Receipt of samples and compliance with sample handling procedures in the laboratory.
• Assisting with the arrangement and transport of samples to and from the laboratory.
• Sample disposal and assisting with the return of samples to the site of origin.
• Assisting with the disposal of organic and solid waste.
• Ensuring efficient and quality delivery to the customer and helping the team meet its financial and EHSS&Q targets and maintain and expand UKAS accreditation.
• Working across both our low and high level active laboratories.

Essential Criteria for Senior Analyst

• BSc/MSc Chemistry.
• Excellent communication skills to communicate with the wider technical team, instrument suppliers and experts from other companies.
• Experience working to the ISO17025 quality standard or equivalent.
• Experience working in a commercial laboratory.
• Experience of analytical chemistry.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Adaptable to change in demand and priorities.
• Evidence of defining and upholding exemplary standards in safety and quality.
• 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). British citizen as defined in the British Nationality Act 1981.

Desirable Criteria for Senior Analyst

• Experience with radiochemical techniques and separation methods.
• Radiochemistry/Radioanalytical Chemistry experience.

Benefits

• Sector leading Family-Focused Policies: celebrate life events, including enhanced maternity and paternity leave and a week off for your marriage.
• UKNNL offers attractive pension plans: if you contribute 5%, UKNNL contributes 15%; alternatively, if you choose not to contribute (0%), UKNNL will still contribute 10%.
• Annual Leave: 25.5 days of leave, plus 4 extra days during Christmas shutdown, plus Bank Holidays.
• Reduced gym membership with discounts up to 25% from 3,700 gym and leisure providers across the UK.
• Company Bonus: Be rewarded for your contributions.
• Learning Opportunities: Enhance your skills through excellent development programmes.
• Employee Assistance: Access support for personal and professional challenges.
• Cycle to Work: Stay active and eco-friendly.
• Life Assurance: Ensure peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
• Enhanced Sick Pay Benefits: Receive support during illness or injury.
• Access to 'Mydiscounts' which has a range of special offers and discounts from more than 200 suppliers, including medical insurance and dental insurance.
• Health Care: Health savings plan which allows you to claim money back on visits to the dentist, optician and/or physiotherapist (limits apply).

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where UKNNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures, providing reasonable adjustments as appropriate.

We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging and the ability to access the workplace in a way which works for you.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL.