Senior Health Physicist in Thurso

Dounreay, a leading nuclear decommissioning site, is seeking a Senior Health Physicist to deliver expert radiation protection support. The role focuses on ensuring compliance with IRR 2017 while contributing to the safe decommissioning and clean-up of a complex nuclear environment. Join Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Dounreay and play a key role in delivering safe, compliant and world-class radiological protection.

A vacancy has arisen for a Senior Health Physicist to provide expert radiation protection advice and support at Dounreay.

The Role

As a Senior Health Physicist, you will play a key part in ensuring compliance with the IRR17, while supporting the critical programme of decommissioning work across the site. It is anticipated that a significant proportion of your work time will be based on the NRS Dounreay Site. You will work closely with projects and stakeholders, providing timely, practical, and legally compliant advice and guidance to support safe and effective operations. You will also contribute to the maintenance of robust Health Physics standards while playing a key role in audit, compliance, training, and emergency preparedness.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the maintenance of codes of practice, standards and guidance
• Develop and undertake local audits and inspections to ensure compliance with Dounreay management systems and IRRs
• Provide radiation advice to Dounreay staff and projects to enable compliance with IRR17 and all Dounreay radiological protection standards, procedures and instructions
• Interface with stakeholders, including regulators and auditors, on radiation protection issues
• Represent Dounreay at internal and external forums
• Participate in the site audit programme as a specialist advisor
• Assist in the development of site emergency procedures and contingency arrangements
• Participate in emergency arrangements and be a member of the out of hours on-call emergency rota, providing support when required
• Provide expert advice and guidance on the implementation of radiation protection management processes and standards
• Contribute to the development of, and deliver, specialist radiation protection training
• Mentor, supervise, and support the development of Health Physics staff
• Undertake health physics competence assessments
• Support the implementation of emerging topics
• Act as an appointed Radiation Protection Adviser

About You

• Degree in Science/Engineering (or equivalent - such as NVQ Radiation Protection specific professional qualifications and/or professional registration including Incorporated Radiation Protection Professional (IRadP) and Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)) with relevant experience
• Hold a valid Certificate of Competence to act as a Radiation Protection Adviser
• Professional registration as Incorporated Radiation Protection Professional (IRadP) or Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP)
• Proven experience in health physics
• Successful completion of post-specific capability assessment

Why Join NRS Dounreay?

• Be part of a nationally significant nuclear decommissioning programme
• Work within a highly skilled and supportive team
• Opportunities for ongoing professional development and progression
• Benefits such as 13.5% employer pension contribution, 28 days annual leave + bank holiday, Company bonus scheme, Flexible working, Relocation assistance, Excellent flexible benefits & healthcare options

Security Clearance and Other Requirements

Please note: 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.