Roles and Responsibilities
- Technical authority in THM coupled process modelling, providing an internal base of expertise to support NWS’s mission and programmes (i.e., appropriately deploy subject-matter-expertise to inform internal/external technical projects, provide critical review of technical work and support NWS's Engineering & Design and Post-Closure Safety Functions).
- Planning, managing, and delivering (scope / cost / schedule) of THM modelling projects to underpin understanding and design in support of NWS’s mission. Work with stakeholders to ensure modelling activities are scoped appropriately, and review/challenge and assure work undertaken by suppliers to ensure it is of appropriate quality, checked, and verified to meet stakeholder needs.
- Identifying supply chain capability and resources required to deliver the programme of THM modelling activities discussed above.
- Work with the supply chain to ensure tools and techniques available for THM modelling projects meet the needs of NWS. This includes ensuring tools and techniques are robustly assured, and gap analysis of functionality is performed with appropriate research commissioned to close any gaps identified.
- Act as the Model Technical Owner (MTO) for THM coupled process models (as and when appointed by the Model Senior Responsible Owner (MSRO)) consistent with NWS’s modelling procedures. The MTO is responsible for taking technical ownership of a model (both in-house and supply chain developed).
- Technical project/contract management of external research projects in the Modelling portfolio, including definition and procurement of generic and emerging site-specific activities.
- Interpretation and evaluation of new and existing THM modelling tools and techniques in support of NWS’s programme. Retain state-of-the-art knowledge and capability and ensure key competencies are maintained.
- Delivery of project / task reporting to support NWS PM/programme management staff (e.g. including discussion of budgets, progress, risks and resource effort).
- Acting as a representative at national and international fora and events (including involvement with communities involved with NWS’s programme, NWS's Research Support Office / academic engagement, Learned Societies, our regulators, and the EC on specific projects).
- Support the Data, Modelling and Strategy Lead in fulfilment of the wider scope of the Data, Modelling and Strategy Team.
Experience Required
Essential
- A good first degree in a mathematics or physics based subject and a PhD in a related discipline.
- Experience of specifying and delivering THM coupled process modelling projects through the whole model lifecycle. Experience of models developed in support of design and environmental safety cases a benefit.
- Experience of using a range of codes suitable for THM coupled process modelling of both natural and engineered barriers (e.g., COMSOL, PFLOTRAN, FLAC3D, etc.) for understanding/verifying/validating experimental findings.
- Experience of software development workflows. Although whole-scale software development is not envisaged for this role, requirements to enhance existing functionality within software tools and/or scripting to support model interfaces may be necessary.
- Experience of collaborating with field and laboratory staff, supply chain, and researchers to deliver a needs-driven integrated modelling programme that meets the requirements of the business.
- Significant experience of using research to close knowledge gaps and solve problems.
- Experience of translating technical challenges into specific knowledge gaps, identification of research needs and objectives and formulating appropriate research activities to further NWS’s understanding.
- Experience of technical project management, including project scoping, budgeting, contracting and supply chain management.
- Effective communication of technical aspects to both specialist and non-technical audiences.
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