Nuclear Waste Services has a vacancy for an experienced Coupled Process (THM) Modeller to join our team flexible working across the NWS estate.
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is the Government organisation responsible for the safe disposal of the UK’s nuclear waste. As duty holders for the disposal of nuclear waste, NWS must demonstrate adequate safety cases to underpin the design for construction, operation, and closure of its disposal sites, including the operating Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) and future deep geological disposal facilities (GDF). NWS is ultimately responsible for delivering, owning, and understanding safety cases and their underpinning models necessary to permission activities at these facilities, with the majority of models and underpinning R&D developed by our supply chain (consultants, academia, international research collaboration). In all cases, NWS will make extensive use of mathematical models across a wide range of scientific disciplines, to provide the necessary understanding and insight to implement the required programmes of work.
The role is responsible for Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) coupled process modelling activities in NWS, defining, delivering and assuring relevant aspects of research programmes for both natural (claystones and mudstones predominantly) and engineered barriers (e.g., geomaterials, cements, near-field, etc.). This is a cross-functional role within Site Characterisation and Research & Development requiring collaboration with users and R&D topic owners that require THM modelling expertise in support of internal end-users’ needs (e.g., Engineering & Design and Post-Closure Safety).
- Technical authority in THM coupled process modelling, providing an internal base of expertise to support NWS’s mission and programmes (i.e., appropriately deploy subject-matter-expertise to inform internal/external technical projects, provide critical review of technical work and support NWS's Engineering & Design and Post-Closure Safety Functions).
- Planning, managing, and delivering (scope / cost / schedule) of THM modelling projects to underpin understanding and design in support of NWS’s mission. Work with stakeholders to ensure modelling activities are scoped appropriately, and review/challenge and assure work undertaken by suppliers to ensure it is of appropriate quality, checked, and verified to meet stakeholder needs.
- Identifying supply chain capability and resources required to deliver the programme of THM modelling activities discussed above.
- Work with the supply chain to ensure tools and techniques available for THM modelling projects meet the needs of NWS. This includes ensuring tools and techniques are robustly assured, and gap analysis of functionality is performed with appropriate research commissioned to close any gaps identified.
- Act as the Model Technical Owner (MTO) for THM coupled process models (as and when appointed by the Model Senior Responsible Owner (MSRO)) consistent with NWS’s modelling procedures. The MTO is responsible for taking technical ownership of a model (both in-house and supply chain developed).
- Technical project/contract management of external research projects in the Modelling portfolio, including definition and procurement of generic and emerging site-specific activities.
- Interpretation and evaluation of new and existing THM modelling tools and techniques in support of NWS’s programme. Retain state-of-the-art knowledge and capability and ensure key competencies are maintained.
- Delivery of project / task reporting to support NWS PM/programme management staff (e.g. including discussion of budgets, progress, risks and resource effort).
- Acting as a representative at national and international fora and events (including involvement with communities involved with NWS’s programme, NWS's Research Support Office / academic engagement, Learned Societies, our regulators, and the EC on specific projects).
- Support the Data, Modelling and Strategy Lead in fulfilment of the wider scope of the Data, Modelling and Strategy Team.
Essential
- A good first degree in a mathematics or physics based subject and a PhD in a related discipline.
- Experience of specifying and delivering THM coupled process modelling projects through the whole model lifecycle. Experience of models developed in support of design and environmental safety cases a benefit.
- Experience of using a range of codes suitable for THM coupled process modelling of both natural and engineered barriers (e.g., COMSOL, PFLOTRAN, FLAC3D, etc.) for understanding/verifying/validating experimental findings.
- Experience of software development workflows. Although whole-scale software development is not envisaged for this role, requirements to enhance existing functionality within software tools and/or scripting to support model interfaces may be necessary.
- Experience of collaborating with field and laboratory staff, supply chain, and researchers to deliver a needs-driven integrated modelling programme that meets the requirements of the business.
- Significant experience of using research to close knowledge gaps and solve problems.
- Experience of translating technical challenges into specific knowledge gaps, identification of research needs and objectives and formulating appropriate research activities to further NWS’s understanding.
- Experience of technical project management, including project scoping, budgeting, contracting and supply chain management.
- Effective communication of technical aspects to both specialist and non-technical audiences.
- On appointment to NWS you will receive 25.5 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and you can accrue up to 13 extra days leave
- Rewarding performance (annual bonus scheme)
- We offer a generous pension scheme through CNNP
- Learning and development support
- Payment of relevant annual professional subscriptions
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial advice assistance
- Flexible working
- Extended family-friendly policies
- Cycle to work scheme
- We welcome flexible and agile working practices
- Flexible working requests can be submitted from day 1 of employment