Radiation Protection Adviser

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.

As part of a small team of Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Advisers, you will provide practical advice and support to enable the performance of world-class science within UKRI’s cutting-edge facilities. You will work closely with engineers, scientists, designers and safety professionals, striving to optimise radiation exposures within an established but continually developing science campus. You will be involved in the development and implementation of radiation protection control measures that are seamlessly integrated into STFC work practices and procedures.

As an appointed RPA (and RWA as relevant) under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), you will provide operational radiation protection advice and support to STFC management, divisions, departments and staff at all levels on the requirements of all relevant radiation safety and environmental legislation, established best practice, and the organisation’s documented radiation management systems. Specific duties will include:

• 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 driving continuous improvement in all activities related to radiological safety management and protection, including consideration of UKRI Net Zero targets.
• As a primary contact with the UK regulatory authorities (such as the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation), 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.
• Undertaking 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 and providing assistance to improve radiation protection arrangements.
• Interpret relevant radiation protection data (including radiation and contamination monitoring results, dosimetry records and the outputs of computer modelling codes, eg. Fluka/MCNP) during the assessment and control of workplace risks through the performance and maintenance of documented radiation risk assessments, and advise accordingly on the implementation of effective health and safety control measures.
• Provide advice and recommendations during the planning, design, construction, commissioning and testing (including critical examination) of new or modified radiation facilities, with responsibility, and design approval, for all radiation shielding and protection systems.
• Review, advise and act on the results of personal dosimetry and environmental radiation monitoring. Provide advice on the selection, use, maintenance and testing of radiation monitoring equipment.
• Review and investigate (as appropriate) notified radiation safety incidents, advising on remedial or preventative actions, and communicating learning across the organisation.
• 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.
• Where appointed, provide RPA/RWA advice to science facilities across the wider UKRI estate, and deputise for and/or support other STFC RPA/RWAs as required.

• 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 to a variety of workplaces, including the academic or high-technology sectors.
• 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 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) and databases.

• 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. However, the role does not require on-call 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.