Nuclear Waste Services has a vacancy for an experienced Senior Research Manager (Biosphere) to join the team flexible working across their estate.
The Senior Research Manager (Biosphere) is responsible for the development of the site-specific understanding and underpinning knowledge base for the Environmental Safety Case (Post-closure and Operational). This understanding will concern the uptake, movement and consequences of radionuclides and non-radiological pollutants that may reach the biosphere either through operational airborne discharges or in the far distant future (tens to hundreds of thousands of years). The role requires the capability to manage and assure the development of numerical models, together with an understanding of radioecology / environmental chemistry.
- Supporting the development of NWS’ Environmental Safety Case, assessing the potential effects of geological disposal on human and non-human biota on the basis of commissioned research and international best practice, during the operational and long-term post-closure phases of a GDF.
- Ownership of the biosphere numerical modelling approach and its implementation.
- Leading NWS’ site-specific biosphere characterisation work - working closely with environmental assessment and environmental safety case specialists to support the identification and evaluation of potential sites for a GDF.
- Identifying research needs in the areas of biosphere characterisation and biosphere evolution, and develop and implement an appropriate research strategy to meet these needs
- Procuring and managing supply chain support for this work.
- Acting as a representative of NWS at national and international scientific for a and events relevant to the biosphere research strategy and being responsible for understanding the content and relevance of overseas research programmes to NWS’ environmental safety case and environmental assessment work.
- Numerate degree (e.g. maths / physics / chemistry), preferably to PhD level and employment history (industrial, academic) in a relevant environmental or scientific discipline.
- Experience in modelling environmental systems (climate, marine and terrestrial systems):
- Modelling to predict the transfer of radionuclides through the terrestrial and marine environment and atmosphere (e.g. PC CREAM, ADMS).
- Ability to programme (e.g. Python, C++, R, MatLab) an advantage).
- Familiarity with of hydrological modelling tools and techniques (e.g. MIKE SHE)
- Appreciation of probabilistic simulation software tools such as GoldSim.
- Understanding of numerical modelling of long-term climate change and its implications for future populations in the vicinity of the geological disposal facility.
- Understanding the biosphere as the receptor in the safety case for geological disposal of radioactive wastes, together with practitioner capability in modern biosphere transfer and uptake software (e.g. ERICA) and related data requirements.
- Experience in managing biosphere characterisation programmes, including assessment of non-human biota population densities and the treatment of human habits in dose assessment would be advantageous.
- Ability to prepare high quality written technical reports and deliver verbal presentations to a variety of audiences.
- Self-motivate, enjoys working with a range of stakeholders, with the ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team and environment on challenging problems.
- Chartership with a relevant institution (or already working towards being chartered).
Job Context & Challenges
The role has three key components. Firstly, supporting the specification and management of site-specific biosphere characterisation and, secondly, to manage the programme of research required to develop sufficient understanding of the long-term impact of potential low-level releases to the environment to enable the GDF post-closure safety case. Thirdly, to support the operational environmental safety assessment through modelling of authorised / accidental operational environmental discharges.