Nuclear Waste Services has a vacancy for an experienced Senior Geophysicist to join our Harwell team flexible working across the NWS estate.
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS) is the Government organisation responsible for the delivery of a Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for the UK’s inventory of higher activity wastes. The selection of a suitable site is based upon a consent-based process, where there is both a willing community and a suitable geological setting. At present, there are several communities which have formed a Community Partnership.
The Senior Geophysicist is the Subject Matter Expert for geophysics within the Site Characterisation and Research & Development team to be applied across all projects in NWS, including the GDF Programme and the Low Level Waste repository projects. The Senior Geophysicist is responsible for the planning and execution of geophysical data acquisition programmes planned at multiple sites and is accountable for quality of geophysical data acquired, processed and interpreted to support Site Characterisation and Site Evaluation.
- Act as Subject Matter Expert for geophysical data acquisition. You will be responsible for planning, specifying, managing and obtaining geophysical data to support Site Characterisation and Site Evaluation. This includes technical leadership of project teams in NWS and the supply chain responsible for the specification, procurement and management of contractors and delivery of surface-based investigations to ensure geoscientific outputs meet the requirements and expectations of end-users and support the assessment of a potential site’s suitability to dispose of radioactive waste.
- Act as Subject Matter Expert for geophysical data processing, you will be responsible for procuring and managing the supply chain undertaking processing and reprocessing projects. Specifically, the Senior Geophysicist will be responsible for planning the processing of these data, to produce datasets of sufficient quality to address the information needs to engineering design and safety case. This will require working with the supply chain to understand the techniques to enhance the quality of the geophysical data and products used in geological interpretation.
- The Senior Geophysicist is accountable for the quality of geophysical data acquired, processed and reprocessed to support all NWS projects.
- Representing NWS on geophysical aspects of site characterisation design issues in internal and external fora and working with internal stakeholders to ensure that the site investigation work programme meets organisational needs.
- Represent NWS at national and international fora and events and communicate externally on geophysical topics to a wider range of stakeholders including Community Partnerships, Government, Regulators, Learned Societies etc.
- Support data management teams to manage geophysical data in line with NWS standards and guidelines.
- There are currently no line management responsibilities associated with the Senior Geophysicist role, however, there may be a requirement to line manage supporting roles in the future.
Essential
- Good first degree in earth science, or relevant science or engineering subject.
- Previous experience as a geophysicist, working in site characterisation, site investigation, resource exploration/development or similar sectors.
- Demonstrate experience of the full lifecycle of geophysical surveying projects (Design, Plan, Procure, Mobilise, Operate, Demobilise, Process). Able to demonstrate delivery of geophysical surveys to fulfil stakeholder requirements.
- Experience and knowledge of the full range of geophysical data acquisition and interpretation techniques, available for site characterisation.
- Experience of the procurement and management of geophysical services from supply chains.
- Evidence of communication skills including report writing and public speaking.
Desirable
- Experience of both onshore and offshore seismic acquisition.
- Experience of seismic processing including the reprocessing of vintage, legacy datasets.
- Experience of seismic interpretation.
- Experience of acquisition of geophysical data from boreholes (eg VSP).
- Experience of acquisition of shallow Site Survey data, to support Site Characterisation and Site Investigation
- Awareness, understanding of non-seismic geophysical data acquisition, processing and interpretation including gravity and magnetic datasets.
- Chartered professional status (or working towards Chartership).
- 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