Band 3 Nuclear Safety Inspector - Radiation Protection (consequences assessment)

Office for Nuclear Regulation; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 81,000; Full time

Job summary

A national nuclear safety agency in the UK is seeking a Radiation Protection Inspector to ensure adequate protection against ionising radiation at various nuclear sites. The role offers a salary of £80,670 with additional benefits, including a significant pension contribution. This hybrid position requires a degree in a relevant discipline and expertise in radiological protection principles. Opportunities for professional development are provided, including extensive training in nuclear regulations.

Benefits

£23,370 DC Pension contribution

Hybrid working environment

Extensive training and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in a science, mathematics, engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution preferred.
• Experience in the nuclear sector or equivalent high hazard industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Regulate the construction of new nuclear build and decommission legacy facilities.
• Perform planned and reactive inspections on nuclear sites.
• Advise on risk controls related to radiological consequences.

Skills

Specialist knowledge of radiological protection

Communication skills

Risk assessment

Decision making

Influencing skills

Education

Degree in science, mathematics, engineering or related discipline

Chartered membership of relevant professional institution

Job description

Overview

ONR is not a Civil Service department, however, we are an arms length body of Department of Work and Pensions. 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 will assess safety submissions or manage discrete intervention projects. Additionally, there may be opportunities to conduct investigations, manage research projects, and mentor and develop the next generation of inspectors.

As a Radiation Protection inspector your role will be ensuring that people are adequately protected from the risks posed by ionising radiation arising on the wide range of UK nuclear sites and during the transport of radioactive materials. We have particular need for expertise in radiological impact and consequences assessment which includes identifying significant hazards on nuclear sites, working with fault analysis colleagues, and evaluating potential radiological consequences to workers and the public. Nuclear sites we consider include existing all AGRs and PWR, Sellafield, defence, decommissioning, fuel manufacture, new build HPC and SZC, new alternative nuclear technologies and SMRs. We also perform evaluations to support emergency response to central Government requests relating to overseas events such as Fukushima and Ukraine.

The role includes identifying, commissioning, and managing research and improving ONR's guidance (SAPs, TAGs, TIGs). Applying your radiological protection expertise in ONR can give you the chance to significantly widen your influence and make a difference in radiation protection throughout the nuclear industry. This may be through a mix of assessment, compliance inspection, producing in-house guidance, training fellow inspectors, working with professional bodies and institutions to develop relevant industry good practice nationally and internationally, working with government to develop or revise legislation, and representing ONR/UK internationally.

Extensive training will be provided on the legal and regulatory aspects of the role, along with opportunities to continue to develop, expand and deepen knowledge in the specialist area and on a range of nuclear technologies.

Responsibilities and Opportunities

• Undertake a range of roles across the sector, from regulating construction of new nuclear build to decommissioning of legacy facilities.
• Carry out planned and reactive inspections on site; assess safety submissions; manage discrete intervention projects; conduct investigations; manage research projects; and mentor future inspectors.
• Apply radiological protection expertise to protect people from ionising radiation on nuclear sites and during transport of radioactive materials.
• Identify significant hazards, evaluate radiological consequences, and advise on risk controls.
• Engage in emergency response evaluations for overseas events and contribute to ONR guidance and policy development.
• Produce in-house guidance, train colleagues, and collaborate with professional bodies and government bodies to influence national and international practice.

Qualifications and Essential Skills

• Degree level qualification or equivalent in a science, mathematics, engineering, or related discipline.
• Chartered membership of a relevant professional institution, or demonstrated performance/experience at an equivalent professional level.
• Specialist knowledge of radiological protection with practical experience in:
• Application of radiological protection principles and dose optimisation techniques, including the hierarchy of control measures.
• Dose consequence analysis related to postulated fault sequences and preferably atmospheric dispersion modelling and/or numerical targets.
• Preparation and/or peer review of safety cases and risk assessments relating to radiological protection.
• Knowledge of one or more nuclear/high hazard facilities (e.g., PWRs, AGRs, high hazard processing plants).
• Ability to assimilate, analyse, and provide clear judgments on new and complex technical issues; strong communication, decision making, and influencing skills.
• Experience in the nuclear sector or alternative high hazard industry preferred; applicants from non-nuclear backgrounds will undertake a structured nuclear training programme to reach Nuclear Safety Inspector level (subject to salary adjustments during training).

Location, Travel and Work Style

Location: base at Bootle, Cheltenham, or London. Travel across the UK and occasionally abroad, with some overnight stays. Full driving licence required (or reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010). ONR operates hybrid working with time in the office and/or at home; some time in the office is expected for collaboration and teamwork.

Inclusion and Selection Process

We are an inclusive employer and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We offer reasonable adjustments in recruitment and provide guaranteed interview for certain groups where applicable, including veterans. Selection involves a suitability statement (800 words max) and a technical/competency-based interview, with timelines indicating possible interview weeks and start date in early 2026.

Security Clearance

Successful candidates must hold or be able to obtain National Security Vetting clearance at SC level. See our vetting charter and baseline security standards for details.

AI Tools & Applications

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Benefits

Salary of £80,670 plus £23,370 DC Pension contribution to the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Details on Civil Service Pension benefits are available.