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Category: Fuel, Reactor and Reprocessing
Salary: Salary starting at £67,035
Closing Date: 2024-12-17
Location: Preston, Lancashire
The salary range for this position is £67,035 to £72,704 (Grade 3B).
If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact Michael Brogden.
Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions.Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.
If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team .
Job Description for Technology Manager (Advanced Fuels):
NNL is where your understanding of reactors fuels the nation.As part of our Fuel Reactor & Reprocessing capability, you’ll play a vital role in developing the UK fuel cycle in line with advances in new technology and new processes.As old reactors reach the end of their lifespan, we need experts like you, with the technical skills to virtually model scenarios that not only enable us to explore new ways of managing the inputs and outputs of reactors, but also pave the way for the implementation of smaller, cleaner revolutionary new reactors. This is a place where you can use your knowledge and expertise to do long term meaningful work for years to come.
A vacancy is required in NNL’s Fuels, Reactors and Recycling Capability for a Subject Matter Expert in Advanced Fuels development to lead NNL’s response to the UK’s Deconversion requirements.
The job holder will be appointed as a Technical lead on the DESNZ deconversion project.The project requires development of a versatile process that could be used to make deconversion products for different uses.Standardising equipment will be economically advantageous for the modular design and replication approach is being considered
The job’s purpose is to take a cross-discipline approach to delivery by ensuring that experimental programmes and project scopes are being delivered to time, cost and quality while working collaboratively across the business to achieve those goals.This will involve working to agreed targets with our partners and DESNZ, working closely with project managers, and providing technical leadership and guidance as required.
The processes under consideration are:
* UF6 deconversion to U3O8 (dry route) – the precursor material for CPF manufacture.
* UF6 deconversion to UF4 – the basis of some molten salt fuels.A further step to convert UF4 to uranium metal opens up the potential to manufacture metallic alloy (U-Mo, U3Si2) fuels for research reactors or U-AI dispersion targets for 99mTc radioscope production.Under a separate NFF award, NNL is investigating the alternative UF6 to UO2 to UF4 process using oxide powder from the existing Integrated Dry Route (IDR) process operated by SFL.
* UF4 conversion to uranium metal – the capability will include ancillary equipment such as charge make-up, break-down, pickling, sampling, and residue handling facilities.although the maturity of the process chemistry dictates that a laboratory scale facility is not required, the ability for the pilot facility to accommodate a range of reactor sizes is considered useful to facilitate screening experiments for upstream deconversion processes.
To test the versatile deconversion concept and reestablishment of UK uranium metal production capabilities, facilities will be developed at the NNL Preston Laboratory, where handling of UF6 is well understood.
The position involves developing an already solid foundation of technical expertise and credibility in the area of fuel manufacturing and technology that will support the next generation of nuclear reactors and the UK’s Net-Zero carbon targets.A combination of technical advice, technical development of junior team members, scope and bid preparation, report writing and liaising with the Capability Manager to build a strong working relationship to satisfy capability demands is required.
The position also potentially requires representation of NNL and the UK at national / international working groups or collaboration meetings as required in order to enhance NNL’s visibility at key stakeholder meetings.
Main Responsibilities for Technology Manager (Advanced Fuels):
* Provide specialist technical leadership to the DESZN –Deconversion and other customer projects ensuring the delivery of high-quality outputs.
* As a Senior technical lead be accountable for technical oversight, planning and delivery of R&D programmes across NNL and the supply chain. This also includes taking a lead role in Core Science programmes.
* Provide technical direction to Account Directors, Customer Workstream Leads and Programme Managers by devising R&D programmes to meet customer needs
* Ensure NNL’s technical and quality outputs meet company and international standards.
* Support the Capability Leader and Manager in driving R&D programmes to grow NNL technical capability to support developments in the fuel’s technical capability area.
* Develop and maintain key relationships with national and international customers, collaborators, and the supply chain as required.
* To have a clear forward vision of the UK nuclear landscape and to align a capability strategy to this forward vision, shaping the agenda at a senior level, engaging with Government as required.
* Represent NNL and the UK at national and international working groups (Technical Advisor for IAEA Fuel Cycle Facilities Working group) or collaboration meetings as required.
* Oversee the work and develop the skills and abilities of others to improve delivery and maintain capability.
* Actively support as well as lead in improvement initiatives including enabling change activities within the team and wider NNL.
Essential Criteria for Technology Manager (Advanced Fuels):
* PhD or post-doctoral experience in a physical / material science or engineering discipline.
* Demonstrable evidence of providing technical advice to customers in the area of nuclear fuels and nuclear materials and fuels R&D.
* Technical leadership and delivery of complex multi-disciplinary programmes of work to customer requirements.
* Extensive knowledge of Nuclear Fuel types, cladding materials and processes such as deconversion.
* Proven ability to understand and influence key stakeholders and shape and drive the agenda.
* Experience of technical development of scientists and engineers.
* Professional Membership / Chartership of a relevant professional body.
* Demonstrable evidence of project delivery to time, cost and Quality.
* Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).
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