Geoscience Research Manager

RWM’s vision is to create a safer future by managing radioactive waste effectively, to protect people and the environment.

RWM’s mission is to deliver a Geological Disposal Facility and provide radioactive waste management solutions. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the NDA, RWM’s programmes of work deliver Government Policy, and NDA Strategy, for radioactive waste management.

Role description

As a Research Manager you will join the Research Team at a key stage in the development of a growing organisation, and the implementation of the UK Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) for Higher Activity Wastes.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

You will be responsible for developing, maintaining, and communicating RWM’s scientific knowledge of the integrated behaviour of engineered barrier systems (EBS) components, and their interactions with the near-field host rock.

• Development and delivery of the EBS work package, focused on understanding on the integrated behaviour of the collective GDF EBS and near-field host rock components. This is primarily focused on a GDF based in mixed clay / evaporite (interbedded) host rocks or bedded halite host rocks, delivered through contractor and university-led research and development.
• Obtain solutions as required by the GDF programme (including technical knowledge and modelling capability) by acting as an intelligent client for RWM in engineered barrier systems.
• Maintain the scientific liaison with university departments, industry-wide scientific fora, and scientific institutes, both in the UK and overseas.
• Work collaboratively with Intelligent Clients from other geoscientific and engineering disciplines, identifying and supporting integrated projects

Essential skills

• PhD in relevant STEM subject.
• Demonstrable experience in numerical modelling of coupled systems (some aspects of thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical-gas processes), ideally in a geoscience-related field.
• Self-motivation and drive to develop own expertise, lead research agenda, forging internal and external relationships.

Your ability to communicate with people, regardless of level of technical understanding or seniority will help you engage in work package management tasks, including project management, financial planning, risk management and writing technical specifications.

You will be joining a growing organisation, working to deliver the UK’s first Geological Disposal Facility.

RWM’s vision as an organisation is to create a safer future by managing radioactive waste effectively, to protect people and the environment, collaborating with experts on multi-million-pound research programmes and radioactive waste producers to find ways to package it that are suitable for disposal in a Geological Disposal Facility.

For further information or to apply contact Olivia Mindrila at Thomas Thor on o.mindrila@thomas-thor.com or click the apply button.

Equal Opportunities:

We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. At RWM we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.

Disability Confident:

In promoting equal opportunities, RWM welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We select people according to their abilities and our needs. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of disabled candidates who meet all of the essential criteria, RWM will interview the best candidates from within that group.