Health Physics Technician

UK Atomic Energy Authority; Abingdon; Hybrid; GBP 39,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

£43,702 base salary

Up to 7% corporate performance bonus

Final salary pension scheme with 21.5%

25 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Site closure over Christmas

Flexible working options

Job summary

UK Atomic Energy Authority seeks a Health Physics Technician to deliver radiological protection and hygiene services across its facilities. You will advise engineers and project teams, inspect radiological areas and help ensure compliance with IRR17 and related legislation.

The role is hands-on with significant responsibility, offering autonomy and opportunities to contribute to safety culture in a high‑hazard environment. Immediate joining may be possible.

Qualifications

• Formal qualification in radiation safety (City & Guilds or equivalent).
• Experience applying IRR17.
• Experience in occupational hygiene monitoring.
• Experience with beryllium.
• Strong ability to communicate technical information.

Responsibilities

• Deliver routine radiological, airborne contamination and occupational hygiene monitoring.
• Provide operational Health Physics advice to engineers, technicians and Officers.
• Supervise high‑risk activities to keep exposures ALARP.
• Respond to incidents and emergencies with monitoring and advisory support.
• Manage safe handling and disposal of radioactive and Be‑contaminated waste.
• Conduct audits and inspections of radiological work areas.
• Monitor environmental discharges and sample analyses for regulatory permits.
• Prepare and process monitoring samples and reports.
• Participate in Health Physics on‑call rota.
• Support wider Health Physics activities and projects.

Skills

Radiation protection

IRR17 compliance

Occupational hygiene

Beryllium handling

Radiological monitoring

Contamination control

Hazard management

Independent working

Communication skills

Education

Radiation safety qualification

IRR17 knowledge

Job description

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 leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industryand research organisations to achieveground-breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the gridby developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them.

About the role

As a Health Physics Technician, you will play a key role in protecting people, facilities and the environment by delivering specialist radiological protection and occupational hygiene services across UKAEA's facilities. Working as part of the Health Physics Group, you will provide independent advice, monitoring and operational support to ensure compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17) and other relevant legislation.

This is a hands‑on operational role offering significant responsibility and autonomy. You'll work closely with engineers, technicians and project teams to manage radiological and beryllium‑related hazards, support high‑risk activities, respond to incidents and help maintain the highest standards of safety across the organisation.

What You'll Be Doing

• Deliver routine radiological, airborne contamination and occupational hygiene monitoring to support safe site operations.
• Provide operational Health Physics advice to engineers, technicians and Responsible Officers working in radiological and beryllium-controlled areas.
• Supervise high‑risk activities to ensure exposures remain As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).
• Respond to incidents, emergencies and urgent requests for Health Physics support, providing monitoring, assessment and specialist advice.
• Manage and advise on the safe handling, control and disposal of radioactive and beryllium‑contaminated waste.
• Conduct audits and inspections of radiological work areas, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, local procedures and control measures.
• Monitor environmental discharges and analyse samples to support compliance with UKAEA's Environmental Agency permit requirements.
• Prepare and process monitoring samples, maintain accurate records and produce clear technical reports.
• Participate in the Health Physics on‑call rota, providing out‑of‑hours support when required.
• Support wider Health Physics activities and projects in line with operational priorities.

What you'll bring

• Formal qualification in radiation safety, such as City & Guilds Radiation Safety Practice Stage 1 (or higher), Level 2 NVQ, London Institute certification, or equivalent.
• Significant practical experience in operational radiological protection, including application of the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR17).
• Experience of occupational hygiene monitoring and hazardous substance control, ideally including beryllium.
• Strong understanding of radiological monitoring techniques, contamination control and workplace hazard management.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise workloads and make sound operational decisions with minimal supervision.
• Good IT, reporting and record‑keeping skills, with the ability to communicate technical information clearly to a range of stakeholders.

A full list of our benefits can be found here and highlights include:

• £43,702 base salary inclusive of specialist allowance
• Up to 7% corporate performance bonus
• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of21.5% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave, 2.5 privilege days and 8 Bank Holidays
• 3 days of site closure over Christmas break
• Flexible working options plus family‑friendly leave provisions

Our commitment to ED&I

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce.

We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. Further information can be found here.