Radiation Protection Adviser

Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £64,463 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time | 5th February 2026
Location:
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

A vacancy exists for a qualified Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) to support STFC’s science programmes, or for an exceptional candidate who is within 12 months of submitting their first RPA portfolio.

You will be supporting an organisation with a strong safety culture to achieve and maintain the highest radiation safety and environmental standards. As part of a small team of Radiation Protection and Radioactive Waste Advisers, you will provide practical advice and support to enable the performance of world-class science within UKRI’s cutting-edge facilities. You will work closely with engineers, scientists, designers and safety professionals, striving to optimise radiation exposures within an established but continually developing science campus.

You will be involved in the development and implementation of radiation protection control measures that are seamlessly integrated into STFC work practices and procedures.

As an appointed RPA (and RWA as relevant) under the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017 (IRR
17) and the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR), you will provide operational radiation protection advice and support to STFC management, divisions, departments and staff at all levels on the requirements of all relevant radiation safety and environmental legislation, established best practice, and the organisation’s documented radiation management systems. Specific duties will include:

• Provide leadership for radiological safety and related matters across site, ensuring appropriate policies and procedures are in place for radiation protection and maintaining the STFC suite of radiation safety codes. Creatively driving continuous improvement in all activities related to radiological safety management and protection, including consideration of UKRI Net Zero targets.
• As a primary contact with the UK regulatory authorities (such as the Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency and the Office for Nuclear Regulation), lead regulatory inspections on behalf of the organisation and communicate directly with the regulator on radiological protection matters, making statutory reports and responding to inspection feedback or enforcement action.
• Undertaking visits/audits/reviews to assess the level of compliance with the requirements of legislation and STFC radiation management systems, providing written reports and recommendations on remedial actions and providing assistance to improve radiation protection arrangements.
• Interpret relevant radiation protection data (including radiation and contamination monitoring results, dosimetry records and the outputs of computer modelling codes, eg. Fluka/MCNP) during the assessment and control of workplace risks through the performance and maintenance of documented radiation risk assessments, and advise accordingly on the implementation of effective health and safety control measures.
• Provide advice and recommendations during the planning, design, construction, commissioning and testing (including critical examination) of new or modified radiation facilities, with responsibility, and design approval, for all radiation shielding and protection systems.
• Review, advise and act on the results of personal dosimetry and environmental radiation monitoring. Provide advice on the selection, use, maintenance and testing of radiation monitoring equipment.
• Review and investigate (as appropriate) notified radiation safety incidents, advising on remedial or preventative actions, and communicating learning across…