View Vacancy -- Radiation Protection Supervisor - MLC 2330

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/ is located in an expanding science and innovation campus in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research.  As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support a number of research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration. 

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a great place to work and progress your career.  The MRC encourages the integration of clinical and discovery research to elucidate both disease processes and potential new therapies. The MLC provides vital scientific support for the UK biomedical community and focuses on preclinical research using mouse models, which supports clinical research and therapy discovery.  

The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Overall Purpose:

We have an exciting opportunity at the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) to join our Operational Team. 

We are excited to offer the role of Radiation Protection Supervisor and are looking for a motivated, hands-on and positive individual. 

The post-holder will manage the use and the storage of ionising radiation on the Mary Lyon Centre, Medical Research Council, Harwell Campus site. 

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: 

• Implement and manage the regulations and local rules relevant to work with ionising radiation 

• Manage the risks arising from the use of ionising radiation, the necessary precautions to be taken and the extent to which these precautions will restrict exposure 

• Implement systems for dealing with accident/emergency (i.e., implement and develop site ionising radiation contingency plans) 

• Ensure that the Local Rules and other key working instructions or arrangements are complied with to minimise the occurrence of accidents and contamination, and to restrict exposure to ionising radiation 

• Assist in completing risk assessments for work involving ionising radiation

• Maintain regular contact with users and their group leaders to address any safety concerns or incidents and provide guidance and assistance as required 

• If the post-holder is not satisfied with group leader’s or users’ responses to safety concerns, they would raise this with the Head(s) of Division and, if appropriate, recommend that the work is restricted or suspended until appropriate improvements have been made 

• Participate in the RPS Committee and other safety committees and assist in implementing any actions arising 

• Ensure that statutory monitoring is carried out in divisional supervised areas in accordance with the local rules and that records are kept for two years 

• Ensure that physical stock/subsample checks are carried out and recorded each month to ensure that the electronic database is correct 

• Make arrangements for the control of radioactive substances, including waste, with regard to any specific legislative and local requirements 

• Manage the annual testing or calibration of radiation monitors 

• Lead on audits by Health & Safety/Radiation Protection Advisers (RPAs) and inspections by external regulatory bodies as agreed with the Head(s) of Division and the Head of Health & Safety 

• Develop and maintain robust documentation, including safe working practices, contingency, and emergency procedure protocols 

• Audit and test the systems in the safe systems of work and contingency plan at least annually 

• Provide operational guidance and training to users 

Working Relationships: 

The post-holder will work with departmental colleagues, scientists, senior managers, programme leaders, external contractors, and external RPAs.

Equality & Diversity:

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all.  Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement based on their skills, aptitudes and abilities.  The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management. 

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements:

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s: 

• Code of Conduct
• Equality and Diversity policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection and Security policy 

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between the post-holder and their manager. 

The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post.  All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

Education/Qualifications/Training Required: 

Essential:

• A science or engineering-based degree 

Desirable:

• Experience in working with sources of ionising radiation, particularly sealed sources
• Background in engineering

Previous Work Experience Required: 

Essential:

• Hands on approach to working in a research environment with material that comes under the IRR17 regulations
• Experience in the production, maintenance and implementation of documentation, including best practice documents, standard operating procedures and risk assessments
• Experience of managing risks associated with ionising radiation
• Experience of contingency planning and auditing ionising radiation safe systems of work
• Experience of working under IIR17, HSE, Environment Agency and Counter Terrorism regulations 

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a service environment

 Essential:

• Current knowledge of IRR17, HSE, Counter Terrorism and Environment Agency regulations
• Experience of working with ionising radiation

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities: 

Essential:

• Self-motivated with a helpful attitude
• A high level of attention to detail in all work outputs
• Ability to produce accurate and concise documentation