Lab Leader CSS in Thurso

Be part of something that truly matters. At NRS Dounreay, we’re driving the safe clean-up of one of the UK’s most complex nuclear sites — and we’re looking for a Laboratory Leader to play a key role in that mission. Leading a skilled analytical team, you’ll ensure high standards of safety, quality, and performance while delivering vital work that directly supports decommissioning progress and environmental protection.

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is responsible for safely decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear sites. At Dounreay, our mission is to deliver the safe, secure, and environmentally responsible clean-up of one of the most complex nuclear sites in Europe, contributing to a sustainable future while supporting the local community.

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Leader to lead the delivery of analytical services supporting the Dounreay decommissioning programme. This is an exciting opportunity to manage laboratory operations, drive quality and performance, and play a key role in ensuring critical analytical work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Radiometric Counting laboratory areas in the Medium Active Laboratory, ensuring work is delivered safely and efficiently within the Authorisation to Operate (ATO).
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, maintaining UKAS accreditation and delivering inter-comparison requirements.
• Lead, develop, and manage laboratory staff, acting as a Line Manager.
• Deliver sample preparation, analysis, and reporting to meet regulatory and decommissioning deadlines, including emergent work.
• Monitor performance across safety and quality, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions.
• Minimise operational delays by identifying constraints and driving improvements to reduce downtime.
• Support and enhance the Laboratories’ Quality Management System (QMS), including audits, non-compliance management, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with customers, regulators, and auditors, provide reports, and support nuclear material accountancy and safety authorisations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in analytical laboratory radiometric counting operations within a regulated environment.
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 17025 and UKAS accreditation requirements.
• Experience in method development, validation, and laboratory quality systems.
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capability.
• Strong understanding of safety, compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Effective communication skills with experience engaging internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to strict deadlines.

Desirable

• Experience in the nuclear, environmental, or highly regulated sectors.
• Relevant safety authorisations or willingness to obtain them.

All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3-5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.