Job Description
Senior Laboratory Technician
Culham Science Centre, Abingdon, United Kingdom
Full-time
Salary: £35,520 + excellent benefits including outstanding pension
Site Location: UKAEA Culham, Oxfordshire
Confirmed Grade: Level 4
Department: QSHE
Company Description
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA are at the forefront of realising energy from fusion, working with industry and research partners to deliver the ground-breaking developments that will underpin tomorrow's fusion power stations with the aim of bringing fusion electricity to the grid.
As we work towards our mission and goals, UKAEA has devised values (Innovative, Committed, Trusted and Collaborative) that capture the spirit of how we work.
Job Description
Who are we looking for?
- You will be assisting the Laboratory Head in management of Health Physics laboratory analysis techniques under the ISO 17025 UKAS accreditation.
- You will be providing beryllium and tritium analysis services to UKAEA.
- You will be designing, validating and verifying methods for laboratory activities, experiments and data research, resulting in the production of clear and concise procedures and reports.
- You will have to act as an expert in providing radionuclides and beryllium analysis in the laboratory and provide advice to internal and external clients.
What will you be responsible for?
Liaising with the ISO 17025 Quality Manager to ensure:
- Method validation, measurement uncertainty assessment, proficiency assessing and monitoring the ability of the Approved Operators.
- Specialist in Radionuclide and Beryllium analysis.
- The Accreditation requires process auditing activities, equipment commissioning, maintenance, and function checks.
- Management of the laboratory participation in external proficiency testing programs.
- Dealing with enquiries, orders, requests, technical queries, and complaints.
- Extension of Scope (development of new techniques) work under the Accreditation is required to progress improved safety and cost saving initiatives.
Specialist in Radionuclide and Beryllium analysis, providing evaluation of measurement uncertainty (MU), organize uncertainty budgets and presents estimates in laboratory reports and certificates.
Accountable for Beryllium and Tritium sample preparation, using UV spectrophotometry and Liquid Scintillation Counting. Recording and test research results and ensuring results database records are valid. Preparation of blanks, standards, and other materials to a high quality and precision.
Carrying out assistance duties for the routine functioning of the laboratory with consideration of Health and Safety, COSHH and RPS rules within the laboratory.
Provide training, advice, and guidance to other lab technicians in the area of expertise.
Develop, and maintain laboratory work instructions and other reports.
Working with and guiding a team of people in providing radionuclides and beryllium research.
Assist the Laboratory Head with projects, experimental planning and implementation in areas where the post-holder has Liquid Scintillation Counting and UV Fluorescence expertise.
Adhere to and contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory processes.
As part of the role, you will to be designated under IRR17 as Monitored Radiation Worker. You will be also registered Beryllium worker for which a medical examination is required. Candidates will also need to be medically fit to wear respiratory protective equipment. You will also be required to provide cover for overtime, and 24hr on-call support.
Qualifications
Essential skills, experience and competence required
- A degree/equivalent experience in a science discipline.
- Experience of managing a technical process under ISO17025 accreditation.
- Familiarity of work with radioactive material.
- Demonstrable experience of working in a laboratory setting.
- Intermediate level of IT skills, Microsoft office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Desirable skills, experience and competence
- Keen interest and ability to improve efficiency by reviewing current process/procedures.
- Ability to communicate with customers and colleagues both verbally and in writing.
- Advanced level of IT skills, Microsoft office, Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Proven ability to work in a team and assist in specialist and routine areas.
Additional Information
What we offer
Our comprehensive benefits package includes a vibrant culture committed to being fully inclusive, an Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders, Flexible working options including family friendly policies, Emergency paid leave, Generous annual leave allowance (30.5 days) increased with length of service, wide range of career development opportunities, outstanding defined benefit pension scheme; Corporate bonus scheme (up to 7% for Levels 1 - 7, as well as 3rd and 4th year apprentices) and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly from individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, including nationality and citizenship, people with disabilities and women. The Executive team with support from our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, is actively promoting EDI and taking steps to increase the diversity of our people through reinforcing best practice in recruitment and selection, and revaluating approaches where it is clear we can remove barriers to success.
Please be advised that we generally advertise vacancies for 4 weeks however we may close earlier than this if large or sufficient numbers of applications are received.
Please note all employees working at the UK Atomic Energy Authority will be required to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and any other appropriate security checks as part of their clearance – which will include The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks which will show the details of all current criminal convictions or will confirm that there are no such convictions.
Note for applicants who are applying for employment with UKAEA either from outside the United Kingdom or who have spent time outside the United Kingdom in the last five years. Please visit the UK Government Website . If the country you are resident in or have resided in is not listed on this website or that the UK Government is not aware of how to obtain a criminal records check from that state then we are unable to process your application.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £35,520.00 per year
Benefits:
Supplemental pay types:
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: REF1887O
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