Lead Radiological Characterisation Specialist

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

Job summary

NRS Dounreay seeks a Senior Characterisation Specialist to provide technical leadership across characterisation programmes in a highly regulated environment.

You will lead and support characterisation activities, develop radiological fingerprints, oversee sampling, interpret data, and prepare technical plans and reports to underpin safe waste management decisions. Interviews planned for late September 2026; security clearance requirements may apply.

Qualifications

• Degree in scientific, technical or engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• Experience in radioactive waste characterisation, radiological assessment, radiochemistry or health physics.
• Knowledge of radiological fingerprint development, sampling and analysis techniques, inventory development or decay modelling.
• Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.
• Experience producing technical reports, plans and supporting documentation.
• Ability to communicate complex technical information to both specialist and non‑specialist audiences.
• Commitment to technical excellence, continuous improvement and collaborative working.
• Post specific physical capability assessment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support characterisation activities across the site, providing expert advice on radiological and waste characterisation challenges.
• Develop and maintain radiological fingerprints and characterisation methodologies.
• Design and oversee sampling and analysis programmes.
• Interpret radiological and characterisation data to support waste management and decommissioning decisions.
• Prepare characterisation plans, reports and technical justifications.
• Support projects through specialist characterisation advice.
• Identify opportunities to improve characterisation approaches, efficiency and technical quality.
• Provide coaching, mentoring and technical leadership within the characterisation discipline.
• Engage with regulators, supply chain partners and specialist stakeholders.

Skills

Radiological data interpretation

Characterisation expertise

Technical leadership

Regulatory liaison

Education

Degree in scientific/technical/engineering discipline

Tools

Sampling & analysis techniques

Radiochemical methods

Decay modelling

Job description

NRS Dounreay seeks a Senior Characterisation Specialist to provide technical leadership across characterisation programmes in a highly regulated environment.

You will lead and support characterisation activities, develop radiological fingerprints, oversee sampling, interpret data, and prepare technical plans and reports to underpin safe waste management decisions. Interviews planned for late September 2026; security clearance requirements may apply.