We’ll inspire and empower you to deliver your best work so you can evolve, grow and succeed - today and into tomorrow. We offer an exciting range of opportunities to develop your career within a supportive and diverse team who always strive to do the right thing for our people, clients and communities. People are our greatest asset, and we offer a competitive package to retain and attract the best talent. In addition to the benefits you’d expect, UK employees also receive free single medical cover and digital GP service, family-friendly benefits such as enhanced parental leave pay and free membership of employee assistance and parental programmes, plus reimbursement towards relevant professional development and memberships. We also give back to our communities through our Collectively program which incorporates matched-funding, paid volunteering time and charitable donations. Work-life balance and flexibility is a key focus area for us. We’re happy to discuss hybrid, part-time and flexible working hours, patterns and locations to suit you and our business. **About the Opportunity** We are looking to recruit a Cement Consultant for the Radioactive Waste Management and Disposal (WM&D) Business Unit, to be based in Warrington. You will be part of a multi-disciplinary business (including chemists, physicists, material scientists, engineers, modellers, geologists, safety case specialists, mathematicians and project managers) that delivers a range of projects on behalf of both UK-based and international customers. The WM&D Business Unit has led the field of research and development work related to the safe management and disposal of radioactive waste, for over 30 years. The unit has a wide breadth of both nationally and internationally respected expertise which underpins the science, technology and engineering that allows the safe disposal of radioactive waste. Our reputation for safely delivering quality projects on time and on budget is well-recognised by our clients and our technical excellence and strong client relationships put us at the forefront of our industry, along with our proven expertise in managing large, complex projects in the UK and overseas. The vacancy provides an excellent opportunity for those wishing to develop their careers in our technically challenging and commercially-oriented business. As part of WM&D, you will work on a range of desk-based and experimental consultancy projects for customers, including owners of radioactive wastes and nuclear materials, both in the UK and overseas. Our established client portfolio includes organisations like the NDA, NWS, Sellafield Ltd, EDF, AWE, UKAEA, NDF, TEPCO, Nagra, ONDRAF-NIRAS, NND, POSIVA and SKB. The work includes a variety of activities across the areas of nuclear waste management. This position is ideal for an early-career professional seeking to build on a foundation in research and to grow within a dynamic consultancy environment. You will be supported in developing both your technical expertise and your consultancy skills including project delivery, stakeholder communication, and technical report writing. The role involves close collaboration with experienced colleagues across the Chemistry team and wider business unit, with work conducted primarily in the office and our laboratories in Birchwood, Warrington. While the role will primarily involve working on experimental projects, there will also be opportunities to engage in desk-based consultancy activities, allowing growth and development in both areas. Career progression opportunities are available for those who demonstrate strong performance and a proactive approach to their development. **Key Responsibilities:** As a Cement Consultant, you will provide technical expertise on a wide variety of projects for customers including radioactive waste management organisations, radioactive waste producers and regulators, both in the UK and overseas. Work includes a wide variety of activities across the areas of integrated radioactive waste management including but not limited to: + Laboratory Work: Supporting and leading on experimental research projects in areas including the immobilisation of radioactive waste using cements and related materials, and evaluating the performance of cement-based materials under disposal conditions, including sorption and diffusion studies. Tasks will include planning and executing experiments, contributing to equipment maintenance and good laboratory housekeeping, data acquisition, and liaising with technical leads on the progress of experimental projects. + Data Analysis and Interpretation: Analysing and interpreting experimental results, and preparing presentation materials which clearly articulate and contextualise these results for internal and external stakeholders. + Technical Reporting: Contribute to the preparation of high-quality, comprehensive technical reports for clients and stakeholders, with opportunities to progressively take on greater responsibility for authorship. + Desk-Based Consultancy: Contributing to analytical and research-focused desk-based activities including literature reviews and feasibility assessments. + Health and Safety: Taking personal responsibility for health and safety, including the preparation of risk assessments and safe systems of work, and actively contributing to a culture of continuous improvement in safety practices. **Here's What You'll Need:** + A degree (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject, such as Chemistry, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering. + A PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject, such as Chemistry, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering, would be considered highly desirable. + Demonstrable knowledge on cements and/or geopolymers, and ideally an understanding of their application in the field of radioactive waste management. + Demonstrable experience in planning and executing experimental research relevant to cements and/or geopolymers. + Experience in problem solving in a research environment. + Good written communication skills, ideally with experience in contributing to the authorship of peer-reviewed publications or comparable technical documents. + Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and models, extract key insights, and communicate findings clearly. + High level of numeracy, attention to detail, and a commitment to reviewing and checking your own work. + Ability to learn quickly on the job and apply new concepts effectively in a project-based environment. + Proficient IT skills, including strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Excel, Word, PowerPoint). **Our Culture:** Our values stand on a foundation of safety, integrity, inclusion and diversity. We put people at the heart of our business, and we genuinely believe that we all succeed by supporting one another through our culture of caring. We value positive mental health and a sense of belonging for all employees. We aim to embed inclusion and diversity in everything we do. We know that if we are inclusive, we’re more connected, and if we are diverse, we’re more creative. We accept people for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, mental health, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. This is reflected in our wide range of Global Employee Networks centered on inclusion and diversity. We partner with VERCIDA to help us attract and retain diverse talent. For greater online accessibility, please visit **www.vercida.com** to view and access our roles. As a Disability Confident employer, we will interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a vacancy. We welcome applications from candidates who are seeking flexible working and from those who may not meet all the listed requirements for a role.