Senior Seismoacoustic Scientist

Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE); Reading; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Seismoacoustic Scientist to contribute to the Nuclear Treaty Verification programme. This role involves analyzing data and conducting research to protect monitoring facilities from seismic noise. The successful candidate will collaborate with the UK Government on technical verification, ensuring a broad understanding of the context in which we operate. With a commitment to professional development and a supportive work environment, this position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact in national nuclear security.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Contributory pension scheme

Full pay maternity leave

Professional career development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Paid time off for volunteering

Relocation Assistance

Qualifications

• Experience in monitoring low frequency noise and vibration.
• Strong analytical background with extensive technical project experience.

Responsibilities

• Enhance capability to assess CTBT relevant events.
• Provide technical expertise for policy development.
• Prepare and present professional-quality presentations.

Skills

Signal Processing

Data Analysis

Technical Reporting

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

Degree in Physical Science

Degree in Mathematical Science

Degree in Engineering

Tools

Programming Languages

Data Modelling Tools

Job description

Senior Seismoacoustic Scientist

Location: RG7 4RS, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Blacknest.

Package: £46,130 - £65,000, (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

We are looking to recruit a Senior Seismoacoustic Scientist to work on the Nuclear Treaty Verification programme, supporting AWE's national nuclear security role.

Since May 1962, the Eskdalemuir (EKA) seismic array has been in operation, providing AWE with a near-complete library of seismograms from the entire period of underground testing.

As part of a team advising the UK Government on the technical verification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), you will analyse data and carry out research to ensure our monitoring facilities are protected from seismic noise, balancing technical work, stakeholders, policy development and legal challenges, in addition to gaining a broad understanding of the wider context in which we operate.

Main duties and responsibilities:

• Enhance our capability to assess CTBT relevant events through safeguarding our monitoring facilities

• Provide technical expertise including assessment and modelling of data, to develop the scientific and engineering evidence to support policy development

• Prepare and present professional-quality presentations and technical reports to technical peers, management and external stakeholders

• Participate in national and international collaborative work

Who are we looking for?

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:

• A first degree or higher in a physical or mathematical science, or engineering (or equivalent experience)

• Experience of monitoring of low frequency noise and vibration

• Extensive experience of technical projects and delivery

• Strongly numerate with a strong analytical background

• Understanding of generation of seismoacoustic signals from vibrating structures

• Experience of signal processing and modelling, including the interpretation and manipulation of Power Spectral Density estimates and frequency analysis.

• Experience of managing and analysing large data sets

• Knowledge of one or more computer programming or scripting languages and demonstrate the ability to implement your own algorithms

• Able to work independently and unsupervised, as well as within a team to achieve common goals

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively verbally and in writing, including dealing with stakeholder challenges

• Knowledge of source and propagation terms, including attenuation

We are keen to hear from highly motivated individuals with excellent time-management, communication and presentation skills. You will also be comfortable working in diverse teams with differing technical skills and backgrounds. Some UK and or overseas travel may be involved.

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.

• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).

• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.

• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.

• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).

• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.

• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.

• Relocation Assistance (terms & conditions apply).

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

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