Principal Radiation Protection Scientist - Electromagnetic Field Dosimetry

UK Health and Security Agency; England; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental public health agency in the UK is seeking a Principal Radiation Protection Scientist to lead research on electromagnetic fields and manage related projects. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field and expertise in numerical dosimetry and health risk assessments. Responsibilities include preparing scientific publications and representing the agency at national and international conferences. Occasional irregular hours and travel will be required.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in leading scientific research projects.
• Ability to provide expert advice on electromagnetic fields.
• Strong scientific writing skills for publication.

Responsibilities

• Lead research projects on electromagnetic field exposure.
• Prepare scientific materials for publication.
• Manage and maintain experimental dosimetry facilities.
• Deliver presentations at conferences and training.
• Support in emergency management plans.

Skills

Research management

Numerical dosimetry

Health safety risk assessments

Scientific writing

Public speaking

Education

PhD in relevant field

Job description

About the job Job summary

UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate provides advice, research and services to protect the public from exposure to chemicals and poisons, ionising and non-ionising radiation, and other environmental hazards. RCCE provides a specialist assessment and advice function within UKHSA’s overall response as a Category 1 responder to radiation and chemical emergencies. RCCE has an extensive and diverse research function part of which is carried out in the context of NIHR Health Protection Research Units.

The Radiation Dosimetry Department provides authoritative public health information and advice about exposures to lasers and optical radiation, electromagnetic fields, and ionising radiation used for medical diagnostic imaging. In addition, the department provides the secretariat to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

The work of the Department encompasses the provision and maintenance of calibration facilities, research programmes of physical measurement and theoretical dosimetry, health hazard exposure assessments, and the development of standards. It includes the provision of training courses, and liaison and collaborative input to national and international bodies concerned with setting and promulgating standards for protection.

The Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) Dosimetry Group's role is to assess exposure characteristics of emerging and established EMF technologies, including mobiles phones, base stations and power lines. The group acts as the national contact point for UKHSA’s advice on the public health aspects of exposures to EMFs, input to regulations; research on health impacts and environmental monitoring of exposures to EMFs; training and input to the international and national guidance and standards on exposure to EMFs; development of methodology of public and occupational exposure assessments, and measurement infrastructure; support to the EMF capabilities of the Operational Services Department.

The EMFD Group has two laboratories at Chilton in Oxfordshire; one primarily used for EMF exposure investigations and maintenance of measurement equipment, and the other for dielectric properties research. The Group carries a heavy burden of correspondence, with high-level requests and short deadlines arriving on a daily basis.

Job description

We are currently looking for a Principal Radiation Protection Scientist - Electromagnetic Field Dosimetry whose main duties will include:

• To initiate, plan, lead and execute specialist research or equivalent advisory projects related to the assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields, including experimental and numerical dosimetry and managing the work of others as necessary.
• To provide the lead in writing and maintaining elements of published UKHSA advice on exposure to electromagnetic fields, including webpages.
• To prepare scientific review material for UKHSA publications, including consultancy input and secretariat support for advisory and other high-level committees, e.g. the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).
• To prepare and disseminate advice in response to Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs), enquiries from public officials, members of the public, industry and other stakeholders.
• To assist the Group Leader in conducting general management duties, for example in carrying out health and safety risk assessments, quality assurance audits and preparing proposals for new business opportunities.
• To manage and maintain numerical simulation platforms, perform required updates and upgrades if necessary.
• To manage and develop specialist measurement facilities and equipment related to experimental dosimetry, ensuring health and safety procedures are adhered to and supervising others in the use of equipment.
• To prepare authoritative scientific reports and papers for publication.
• To prepare and deliver scientific presentations at national and international conferences and for training courses and represent UKHSA at local, national and international meetings.
• To provide support in UKHSA emergency plans, typically at the level of operations support manager of one of the RCCE emergency cells.

There will be an occasional need to work irregular hours. There will also be a requirement to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.

Professional Development

• To identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training/development needs with your line manager through appraisal/individual development plan, and attend internal/external training events.
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Key Working Relationships

The postholder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include;

Internal

• Daily with Group Leader, Head of Department and other scientific and administrative staff throughout RCCE.
• Frequently with RCCE Directorate.
• Frequently with staff in other RCCE Departments (up to Heads of Department) including corporate function staff.
• Frequently with staff in Health Protection Operations.

External

• Customers and stakeholders for advice and research project including Government Departments and Agencies, Devolved Administrations, commercial organisations, local authorities, NHS, advisory and professional bodies, training organisations. This includes staff up to Directorate level and from a variety of professional backgrounds. This may take place on client’s premises with the post holder acting alone.
• Members of the public to answer queries in the post-holder’s specialist area of expertise.
• Equipment