Nuclear Waste Services has a vacancy for an experienced Senior Hydrogeologist 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.
As part of this role, you will be responsible for delivering hydrogeological conceptual understanding for these areas to support the assessment of a potential site’s suitability to dispose of radioactive waste, informs the design of the disposal system and its safe construction, operation and closure.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Interpretation and evaluation of new and existing hydrogeological information: You will be responsible for the conceptualisation of groundwater settings at regional and local scales, and deep and shallow systems, using field, laboratory and desk-based information. This will include understanding hydrogeological parameters / information requirements needed to support design and safety assessments and leading the development of hydrogeological site characterisation plans.
- Responsible for the technical delivery of the hydrogeological SDM discipline specific reports for each site (and associated summary reports).
- Procurement of hydrogeological services: You will be responsible for identifying supply chain capability and resources required to deliver hydrogeological services needed to support the GDF programme. This will include oversight and management of the supply chain delivering hydrogeological projects, including specification of work, assessment of tenders, management of contracts, and review of deliverables for hydrogeological services in line with the role.
- Technical authority: Responsible for the development of workflows and procedures for the selection, collection and use of hydrogeological information. This will include development of our conceptual understanding of hydrogeology at each site and communicating this understanding to stakeholders internal and external to NWS.
- Support delivery of monitoring strategies, e.g., to understand baseline conditions or the effects of site investigations on the wider hydrogeology.
- Representing NWS on hydrogeological issues in internal and external fora: Responsible for working with internal stakeholders to ensure that the hydrogeological work programme meets organisational needs. You will be required to represent NWS at national and international fora and events (including involvement with regulators, learned societies and the general public, as appropriate
Experience Required
- Good first degree in geology, geological sciences or hydrogeology disciplines. A MSc and / or PhD in a groundwater discipline is preferrable.
- Chartered, or working toward chartership, with a relevant professional institute, with a demonstrable and up to date Continued Professional Development (CPD) log.
- Expertise in planning, managing and delivering field-based investigations required to evaluate the hydrogeological setting.
- Expertise of conceptualisation of groundwater settings at regional and local scales using field, laboratory and desk-based information.
- Experience in using hydrogeological software / tools to interpret field data to generate hydrogeological input values for numerical modelling.
- Experience of collaborating with field staff, numerical modelling experts, supply chain and researchers to deliver integrated site characterisation (groundwater) projects.
- Significant experience in translating a technical challenge into specific knowledge gaps, identification of research needs and objectives and formulating appropriate research activities to further NWS’s understanding.
- Expertise in application of, and working in compliance to relevant groundwater protection regulations.
- Effective communication of technical aspects to either a specialist or non-technical audience.
- Proven ability to influence collaborative and contracted projects to gain the requisite outcomes.
- Experience of decision making and effective delivery of work outcomes within an environment that is continually changing.
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