Band 3 Nuclear Safety Inspector - Chemistry

Office for Nuclear Regulation; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK regulatory body is seeking a qualified inspector to oversee safety in nuclear facilities. This role requires expertise in chemistry and strong analytical skills, along with the capacity to manage inspections and assess safety compliance. Candidates are expected to have a relevant degree and ideally chartered membership. The position offers a hybrid working model with a competitive salary package, including pension benefits.

Benefits

Salary of £80,670 plus pension contributions

Flexible working options

Learning and development opportunities

Inclusive workplace culture

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in chemistry or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or equivalent professional level experience.

Responsibilities

• Regulate the construction of new nuclear build and decommission legacy facilities.
• Conduct planned and reactive inspections on site.
• Assess safety submissions and manage intervention projects.

Skills

Knowledge of chemistry in nuclear facilities

Strong communication skills

Decision making skills

Ability to analyse technical issues

Experience in high hazard industry

Education

Degree in chemistry or related discipline

Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution

Job description

Overview

ONR is not a Civil Service department; we are an arms length body of the Department for Work and Pensions. The Opportunity: As the UK's independent nuclear regulator, our mission is vital to the nation's safety and security. We protect society by securing safe operations at nuclear facilities across our nation. This is an exciting role critical to the decarbonisation of the UK's economy; our national defence; and the decommissioning of our nuclear legacy. A career with ONR will provide you with opportunity to lead and shape our society's future use of nuclear technology.

As an inspector your job will be varied, and you are likely to undertake a range of roles across the sector; from regulating the construction of new nuclear build to the decommissioning of legacy facilities. Some inspectors concentrate on planned and reactive inspections on site, while others assess safety submissions or manage discrete intervention projects. There may be opportunities to conduct investigations, manage research projects and mentor and develop the next generation of inspectors. As part of our specialist chemistry team of inspectors you will consider the chemistry aspects and challenges associated with the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of civil nuclear reactors as well as fuel cycle facilities. Your work will require expert judgement in relation to minimisation of material degradation (including fuel clad), source terms and radioactive waste production. Working knowledge of accident chemistry effects, mitigations and chemistry modelling techniques is desirable.

Line Management & Application Process

Line Management Responsibilities: None currently; however, at this level there could be an expectation to manage staff in the future.

Suitability statement: A suitability statement (maximum of 800 words) highlighting how you meet the essential skills and experience required for the role will be used at shortlisting in conjunction with your CV. Where applicable, highlight any experience under desirable skills and experience within the application form. Throughout our selection process, decisions will be based on evidence you provide. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a technical/competency-based interview.

AI Tools & Platforms

During the application process applicants may use AI platforms to support CVs, suitability statements and essential skills and experience. Ensure all information submitted is truthful and verifiable, including attribution for AI-generated content. All presented information will be assessed at the interview stage.

Important guidance when providing CVs

Upload text-based CVs with no graphics or pictures to ensure the anonymisation function works correctly. If you use special characters in your examples, they may be converted by the system. This will not prevent review at shortlisting.

Interviews & Timeline

Interviews are likely to be undertaken w/c 10 November or w/c 17 November, where possible. The successful candidate is anticipated to join ONR prior to 1 April 2026. Feedback will be provided only if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security & Vetting

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet security requirements prior to appointment. The level of security needed is security check. See the vetting charter and baseline personnel security standard requirements.

Requirements

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in chemistry or a related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or equivalent professional level experience.

Essential Skills / Experience

• Knowledge and/or experience relevant to chemistry in the design, construction, commissioning, operation, decommissioning and accident conditions for reactors and fuel cycle facilities.
• Knowledge of one or more nuclear/high hazard facilities (e.g., pressurised water reactors, advanced gas cooled reactors, high hazard processing plants).
• Ability to assimilate, analyse and provide judgements on new and complex technical issues clearly and concisely.
• Strong communication, decision making and influencing skills with the ability to see the bigger picture and prioritise work based on risk.
• Experience in the nuclear sector or alternative high hazard industry is ideal, but applicants from non-nuclear backgrounds will be considered if they undertake a structured nuclear training programme (subject to salary range during training).

Inclusion & Veterans

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and will consider reasonable adjustments to ensure a barrier-free recruitment process. Contact [e-mail] or [e-mail] to discuss. We offer interviews to disabled applicants who meet minimum criteria under our guaranteed interview scheme, and a Veterans guaranteed interview scheme with eligibility criteria as published. Eligibility includes serving at least one year in His Majesty's Armed Forces (Regular or Reserve) and transition from or cessation of service; or other approved transitions.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must hold or be able to obtain National Security Vetting clearance at SC level.

Location & Travel

This post may be based at any ONR office location (Bootle, Cheltenham, or London). Travel including overnight stays across the UK and occasionally abroad is required. A full UK driving licence is required unless reasonable adjustments can be made. ONR operates hybrid working with in-office and home arrangements and regular office presence as needed.

Benefits

• Salary of £80,670 plus £23,370 towards Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Flexible working options and a culture of inclusion and diversity.
• Civil service pension benefits.