Lab Leader CSS

Nuclear Restoration Services (NRS) is responsible for safely decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear sites. At Dounreay, our mission is to deliver the safe, secure, and environmentally responsible clean-up of one of the most complex nuclear sites in Europe, contributing to a sustainable future while supporting the local community.

The Opportunity

We are currently recruiting for a Laboratory Leader to lead the delivery of analytical services supporting the Dounreay decommissioning programme. This is an exciting opportunity to manage laboratory operations, drive quality and performance, and play a key role in ensuring critical analytical work is delivered safely, efficiently, and to the highest regulatory standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Radiometric Counting laboratory areas in the Medium Active Laboratory, ensuring work is delivered safely and efficiently within the Authorisation to Operate (ATO)
• Ensure compliance with ISO 17025 standards, maintaining UKAS accreditation and delivering inter-comparison requirements
• Lead, develop, and manage laboratory staff, acting as a Line Manager
• Deliver sample preparation, analysis, and reporting to meet regulatory and decommissioning deadlines, including emergent work
• Monitor performance across safety and quality, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions
• Minimise operational delays by identifying constraints and driving improvements to reduce downtime
• Support and enhance the Laboratories’ Quality Management System (QMS), including audits, non-compliance management, and continuous improvement
• Engage with customers, regulators, and auditors, provide reports, and support nuclear material accountancy and safety authorisations

 Qualifications & Experience

• Proven experience in analytical laboratory radiometric counting operations within a regulated environment
• Strong working knowledge of ISO 17025 and UKAS accreditation requirements
• Experience in method development, validation, and laboratory quality systems
• Demonstrated leadership and people management capability
• Strong understanding of safety, compliance, and regulatory requirements
• Effective communication skills with experience engaging internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to strict deadlines

Desirable:

• Experience in the nuclear, environmental, or highly regulated sectors
• Relevant safety authorisations or willingness to obtain them

We are looking to hold interviews week commencing 2nd of July 2026, however, please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline should we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

If you require assistance at any point during the recruitment process contact careers@dounreay.nrservices.uk at the appropriate time so we can make any necessary, reasonable adjustment

Some reasons we think you'll love it here:

Please note:  All successful candidates who do not already hold security clearance will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK, and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks.  For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.