Radiation Protection Adviser

Overview

Salary: £64,463 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE

Closing date: 5th February 2026

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

A vacancy exists for a qualified Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to support STFC’s science programmes, or for an exceptional candidate who is within 12 months of submitting their first RPA portfolio. You will be supporting an organisation with a strong safety culture to achieve and maintain the highest radiation safety and environmental standards.

Duties

• Provide leadership for radiological safety and related matters across site, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are in place for radiation protection and maintaining the STFC suite of radiation safety codes.
• Creatively drive continuous improvement in all activities related to radiological safety management and protection, including consideration of UKRI Net Zero targets.
• Lead regulatory inspections on behalf of the organisation and communicate directly with the regulator on radiological protection matters, making statutory reports and responding to inspection feedback or enforcement action.
• Undertake visits/audits/reviews to assess the level of compliance with the requirements of legislation and STFC radiation management systems, providing written reports and recommendations on remedial actions.
• Interpret relevant radiation protection data during the assessment and control of workplace risks through the performance and maintenance of documented radiation risk assessments.
• Provide advice and recommendations during the planning, design, construction, commissioning and testing of new or modified radiation facilities.
• Review and investigate notified radiation safety incidents, advising on remedial or preventative actions.
• Develop and deliver radiation training programmes.
• Attend and provide quarterly RPA/RWA reports to relevant SHE committees.
• Provide coaching and mentorship to STFC and SHE Group staff on radiation safety matters where appropriate.
• Coordinate with other UKRI Research Councils on radiation protection and issues of shared compliance.

Qualifications

• Qualified to degree level in a relevant scientific or numerate discipline. Exceptional candidates without a degree who have equivalent qualifications or extensive RPA experience will be considered.
• RPA Certificate of Competence issued by RPA 2000, or evidence sufficient for submission of a first portfolio within 12 months.
• Thorough understanding and extensive practical application of applying IRR17, EPR and other ionising radiation-related regulations.
• Practical experience of selection and use of radiation monitoring equipment, detectors, dosimetry and dose control.
• Able to work unsupervised, and as part of a small RP team, managing own workload efficiently and reliably.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work and influence staff at all levels.
• Excellent IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programme suite and databases.

Other requirements

• Available to work and travel in the UK when required, and occasionally abroad.
• Available to work flexibly e.g. occasionally outside of normal working hours/weekend working.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, generous pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

If you would like to apply, please submit your CV and covering letter, outlining your motivation for joining STFC and the interest in the role, and detailing how you fulfil the criteria specified.

Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us.