Radiation Protection Officer

Applications are invited for a permanent, full-time Radiation Protection Officer in the School of Computer Science and Engineering at Bangor University.

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

Bangor University is in a region of outstanding natural beauty between the mountains, lakes and forests of Eryri (Snowdonia National Park) and the dramatic North Wales coastline. Ynys Môn (the Isle of Anglesey) is nearby and is where our dedicated science park - M-Sparc is located.

School of Computer Science and Engineering staff figure among the world leaders in a broad range of technologies, from Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition to Data Visualisation; Medical Microwave Electronics and Medical Simulation; Optoelectronics, Broadband and Optical Communications; Organic Electronics; Nanotechnology, Nuclear Engineering and Nuclear Medicine.

The School is also home to the Nuclear Futures Institute. With nuclear decommissioning and nuclear new-build projects on its doorstep, and an increasing number of businesses from the nuclear supply chain becoming active in the area, the University is focussing on existing and emerging nuclear power generation technologies including novel fuel systems for pressurised water reactors (PWRs), Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), micro-reactor technology and fusion systems, for power production, de-carbonisation and nuclear medicine.

Purpose of the Job

The Radiation Protection Officer (RPO) will, with the support of the Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) & Radioactive Waste Advisor (RWA), put systems in place to ensure work undertaken with radioactive material within the School is compliant with all relevant legislation. The RPO will provide guidance and support to an existing team of Radiation Protection Supervisors and liaise with regulators as required. In addition to this primary role, the RPO will play a critical role in the governance structure within the university, ensuring the safe operation of the laboratories, both in terms of research with radioactive materials, and work with other materials in laboratories that use radioactive materials. Research areas include: matters related to the nuclear fuel cycle (conversion, fuel manufacture, wasteform development) and nuclear medicine.

The primary place of work will be the main campus in Bangor with some working at facilities outside of Bangor e.g. Bangor University's science park - M-SParc on Anglesey.

Main

**Responsibilities**:

- Acting as the point of contact within the School for the external Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and Radioactive Waste Advisor (RWA).
- Acting as the point of contact within the School for Regulators relevant to ionising radiations compliance i.e. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Managing Permits including:

- Manage the collation of waste records and make Pollution Inventory Returns to NRW on behalf of the School.
- Liaise with the RPA/RWA on the use of Exemptions under the Environmental Permitting Regulations 2016 and routes of radioactive waste disposal.
- Monitoring the school’s activity against Permit conditions; including:

- Expert inspection and auditing of storage and disposal facilities.
- Auditing holdings and usage records.
- Auditing waste accumulation and disposal.
- Performing measurements to check radiation doses, dose rates and activity.
- Provide advice on procedures for disposal of radioactive waste via authorised contractors.
- Overseeing the security of radioactive sources according to current national requirements and carry out periodic security audits.
- Managing facility or site decommissioning.
- Advising on design standards for laboratories and designation of areas.
- Providing site specific information to the RPA.
- Contributing to the production of local rules and any local radiation safety policy.
- Promoting the importance of ensuring risks are managed to levels that are As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) in all operations.
- To oversee the work of the School’s Radiation Protection Supervisors.
- Assisting in the preparation and amendment of radiation safety procedures.
- Ensuring that radiation surveys and quality assurance tests are carried out, such as regular testing and calibration of monitoring equipment and regular operational checks of safety and warning systems.
- Reporting to the School management, the Radiation Protection Advisor and to the relevant external organisations any incident that could give rise to a radiation hazard.
- Undertaking dose investigations as required.
- Ensuring that suitable emergency procedures are in place and regularly tested.
- ONR specific responsibilities include:

- Liaise with academic staff to provide annual reports to ONR regarding the Additional Protocol.
- Maintain an accurate and compliant mass balance accounting system in accordance with the requirements of the ONR, including provision of timely annual reports.
- Ensure th