If you’re looking for a career shaping the UK’s long‑term commitment to nuclear energy generation and radioactive waste management, consider joining a safety case team responsible for developing and maintaining the Environmental, Safety, Security and Safeguards (ESSS) arguments that underpin the safe disposal of nuclear waste in the UK.

This is a unique opportunity to work at the cutting edge of applied nuclear science, contributing to a multidisciplinary programme that ensures the safety of radioactive waste at existing disposal facilities and supports the development of the UK’s proposed Geological Disposal Facility.

From building hydrogeological models and identifying hazard‑management strategies, to assessing radiological consequences, engaging with waste consignors, running mathematical models, and communicating technical arguments to regulators and stakeholders—the variety and depth of this role is unparalleled within the nuclear sector.

What Might You Be Doing Day‑to‑Day?

No two days are the same, but activities may include:

Mathematical Modelling

• Developing modelling methodologies
• Building and refining numerical models
• Overseeing contractors delivering modelling work

Underpinning Science

• Understanding waste evolution processes
• Assessing climate change impacts
• Hydrogeological analysis

Impact Assessments

• Long‑term environmental impact assessments
• Operational safety assessments

Safety Considerations

• Transport safety
• Nuclear security design considerations
• Criticality risk assessment
• Human factors advice
• Chemotoxic hazard assessment

Support to Design

• Providing technical advice
• Requirements development
• Systems engineering input

Additional Responsibilities

• Integrating technical arguments into coherent safety cases
• Developing, implementing, and managing plant safety cases
• Communicating scientific concepts to the public
• Liaising with regulators
• Engaging with other nuclear operators nationally and internationally
• Providing technical advice across the organisation
• Managing contractors
• Assessing requests to dispose of waste

Your curiosity, enthusiasm, and willingness to learn are just as important as your academic background. Experienced candidates will help shape the programme and support capability growth, while those earlier in their careers will benefit from structured development, mentoring, and long‑term progression opportunities.

Knowledge and Experience Required

• A good (1st or 2:1) degree in a scientific, engineering, or mathematical discipline

Employers are particularly interested in applicants with experience in:

• Radiological or nuclear safety assessment
• Long‑term environmental or risk assessment
• Radioactive waste disposal
• Nuclear security risk assessment
• Exposure pathway modelling
• Human factors assessment
• External hazards assessment
• Packaging and transport risk assessment
• Criticality assessment
• Dose and shielding assessment
• Underground hazards
• Radiological protection for design
• Chemotoxic hazard assessment