Overview
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), a vacancy exists for a qualified Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) / Radioactive Waste Advisor (RWA) to support STFC’s science programmes. The STFC’s broad use of ionising radiation provides exciting challenges with a salary offered (dependent on skills and experience), flexible working conditions and a generous pension scheme. This is a key senior role within the STFC Safety, Health and Environment (SHE) management system and reports directly to the Head of SHE.
Closing date: 21 September 2025.
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE. Hours: Full-time. Contract Type: Open-ended (permanent).
Join our world-leading team and contribute to ensuring radiation safety across our facilities and programmes.
Duties
* Provide leadership for radiological safety and related matters at the site.
* Provide advice and recommendations to management on obligations under and compliance with ionising radiation-related legislation and permits.
* Lead with regulatory authorities on radiation matters, including compliance with and reporting against permits to bodies such as the HSE, Environment Agency, Office for Nuclear Regulation, counter-terrorism safety advisers, etc.
* Provide operational radiation protection advice and support to management on radiation-related health and safety and environmental matters; contribute to the development of the documented radiation management system, fulfilling the duties of RPA as defined in the STFC radiation management system (and RWA, as appropriate).
* Assist in developing and maintaining documented radiological risk assessments for all work involving ionising radiation; undertake and document critical examinations for new sources of ionising radiation and radiation surveys where appropriate.
* Review and advise on findings from personal dosimetry and environmental radiation monitoring; provide advice on the selection and use of radiation monitoring equipment.
* Recommend design and operation changes for new facilities or modifications, with responsibility and design approval for radiation shielding and protection systems; review and approve local rules.
* Attend and provide quarterly RPA/RWA reports to relevant SHE committees.
* Undertake audits of the STFC radiation management systems and make recommendations on compliance and improvement.
* Develop and deliver radiation training programmes.
* Provide coaching and mentorship to STFC and SHE Group staff on radiation matters where appropriate.
* Undertake radiation shielding and activation calculations/modelling and liaise with contracted specialist modellers as needed.
* Drive continuous improvement in radiological safety management, including alignment with UKRI Net Zero targets.
* Where agreed, provide RPA/RWA advice to science facilities across UKRI and deputise for or support other STFC RPA/RWAs as required.
Essential Shortlisting Criteria
* Degree-level qualification in Physics, or other relevant numerate discipline.
* RPA Certificate of Competence issued by an HSE-recognised assessment body.
* Thorough practical knowledge and understanding of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, its Code of Practice, the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016, and other related regulations.
* Experience of radiation protection in the academic or high-technology sectors.
* Practical experience of radiation monitoring, detectors, dosimetry and dose control.
* Ability to work unsupervised and as part of a small RP team, managing own workload efficiently and reliably.
* Strong interpersonal and communication skills; able to work with and influence staff at all levels.
* Excellent IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office and databases.
Other Requirements
* Willingness to travel within the UK and abroad.
* Flexible working, including occasional out-of-hours or weekend work or telephone contact.
STFC offers a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including 30 days annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, an excellent pension scheme, and opportunities for professional and personal development.
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