Senior Material Scientist

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Category: Fuel, Reactor and Reprocessing

Salary: Salary starting at £57,854

Closing Date: 2026-10-13

The salary range for this position is £ 57,854 to £ 63,248 (Grade 4A).

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Samantha Wilkinson.

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team .

Job Description for Senior Material Scientist

These positions will be based at Central Laboratory Sellafield with the primary role being to provide technical leadership of one of three areas: FIB, PFIB and TEM microscopy. This will be an onsite in-person position with significant time spent operating microscopes in an active area, therefore there is limited opportunity for flexible working. The work conducted for high profile customer including but not limited to SL, EDF and defence.

Main Responsibilitiesfor Senior Material Scientist

• Accountable for the technical quality of the microscopy work delivered on each project.
• Provides the technical lead for any discussions with the customer and other bodies.
• Co-ordinates between the technical team and the facility plant engineering and safety case teams to ensure effective delivery and prioritisation of the work to deliver projects that meet the technical quality requirements in accordance with the contract requirements and customer expectations.
• Accountable for ensuring the current suite of microscopy tools are maintained. Anticipates future analysis and equipment requirements and organises the procurement and development of the methods accordingly.
• Discharges Health and Safety roles such as Task Supervisor, Radiation Protection Supervisor – Radiation Generator.
• Ensures that microscopy staff involved with the projects are suitably qualified, competent and experienced to fulfil their roles.
• Where appropriate, guides and assists in the training of the team to develop the required skills for current and future microscopy work.
• Ensures quality issues are highlighted to the relevant project manager to enable quick resolution.
• Provides input to delivery plans for the microscope area.
  

Ideal Candidatefor Senior Material Scientist

• Technical understanding and demonstratable experience operating the relevant microscope (FIB, PFIB or TEM) to a high standard on active materials.
• Active Fumehood SQEP or the ability to become active Fumehood SQEP.
• Considerable experience delivering projects within Central Laboratory.
• Experience in organising and managing equipment engineers on the Sellafield site.
• PhD in a relevant scientific discipline.
• 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).
• Holds chartership or is in the process of applying for chartership from a relevant professional institute.
• Appointed as a UKNNL technical lead in a relevant discipline or the ability to be appointed as one.