Lab Leader CSS

Nuclear Restoration Services; Thurso; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) at Dounreay is seeking a Laboratory Leader to guide the Environmental Analysis team, ensuring safety, quality and regulatory compliance while supporting decommissioning progress.

You will manage operations, develop staff, maintain ISO 17025 accreditation, deliver timely analyses and reports, engage with regulators and customers, and drive continuous improvement across the laboratory's QMS.

Qualifications

• HND in Science or equivalent qualification.
• Experience in analytical radiometric counting in regulated environments.
• Strong knowledge of ISO 17025 and UKAS accreditation requirements.
• Proven leadership and people management capability.
• Ability to deliver to strict deadlines and manage competing priorities.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the Environmental Analysis laboratory areas in the D1310 Laboratory, ensuring work is delivered safely and efficiently within the Authorisation to Operate (ATO).
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, maintaining UKAS accreditation and delivering inter-comparison requirements.
• Lead, develop, and manage laboratory staff, acting as a Line Manager.
• Deliver sample preparation, analysis, and reporting to meet regulatory and decommissioning deadlines, including emergent work.
• Monitor performance across safety and quality, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions.
• Minimise operational delays by identifying constraints and driving improvements to reduce downtime.
• Support and enhance the Laboratories' Quality Management System (QMS), including audits, non-compliance management, and continuous improvement.
• Engage with customers, regulators, and auditors, provide reports, and support nuclear material accountancy and safety authorisations.

Skills

Analytical radiometric counting

Leadership

ISO 17025 knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Method development

Safety awareness

Stakeholder communication

Education

HND in Science or equivalent qualification

Job description

Be part of something that truly matters. At NRS Dounreay, we are driving the safe clean-up of one of the UK's most complex nuclear sites - and we are looking for a Laboratory Leader to play a key role in that mission.

Leading a skilled analytical team, you will ensure high standards of safety, quality, and performance while delivering vital work that directly supports decommissioning progress and environmental protection.

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Leader to lead the delivery of analytical services supporting the Dounreay decommissioning programme. This is an exciting opportunity to manage laboratory operations, drive quality and performance, and play a key role in ensuring critical analytical work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Jointly manage the day-to-day operations of the Environmental Analysis laboratory areas in the D1310 Laboratory, ensuring work is delivered safely and efficiently within the Authorisation to Operate (ATO)
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, maintaining UKAS accreditation and delivering inter-comparison requirements
• Lead, develop, and manage laboratory staff, acting as a Line Manager
• Deliver sample preparation, analysis, and reporting to meet regulatory and decommissioning deadlines, including emergent work
• Monitor performance across safety and quality, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions
• Minimise operational delays by identifying constraints and driving improvements to reduce downtime
• Support and enhance the Laboratories' Quality Management System (QMS), including audits, non-compliance management, and continuous improvement
• Engage with customers, regulators, and auditors, provide reports, and support nuclear material accountancy and safety authorisations

Qualifications & Experience

• HND in Science or equivalent qualification plus experience.
• Proven experience in analytical laboratory radiometric counting operations within a regulated environment
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 17025 and UKAS accreditation requirements
• Experience in method development, validation, and laboratory quality systems
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capability
• Strong understanding of safety, compliance, and regulatory requirements
• Effective communication skills with experience engaging internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to strict deadlines

Desirable

• Experience in the nuclear, environmental, or highly regulated sectors
• Relevant safety authorisations or willingness to obtain them

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing 19th October 2026 however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact [e-mail] at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment.

Please note: All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3-5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.