Profiles
Christopher Greenlees
Areas of work: Magnox
Qualifications: Chemistry degree, Durham University
Time at Sellafield: 1 month
Job Role: I joined the company as a graduate a few months ago working in the Magnox Technical department. The technical department is involved in improving and developing new and existing processes that occur on plant. The initial part of my role has involved familiarising myself with the plant, gaining practical experience as well as understanding the theory behind what goes on.
There is also a very big social side to working at Sellafield. When I started work I had to relocate and was very surprised by how much support I was given when first arriving to the area. There is a huge community on site and they went out of their way to make me feel welcome and to help me settle in. There are loads of outdoor activities to get involved in and on a weekend and Whitehaven doesn't have a bad nightlife either, so there's always something to do.
John Kyffin
Areas of work: Thorp
Qualifications: Natural Sciences degree, Cambridge University
Time at Sellafield: 9 months
I am on the graduate scheme working in Thorp Technical. My job is to provide scientific support to the parts of the fuel reprocessing plant that deal with the liquid and gaseous effluents from the process as well as the reagent and sampling systems. However, I often do jobs for other areas of Thorp which means that I am constantly learning in detail how the whole process works and having to call on science that I may not have used for a while! I still staggered how complex the plant is and how it was ever designed in the detail required to function.
Examples of work that I've done include working out the chemistry in a waste gas treatment column to prevent a sampling system blocking up under certain operating conditions, evaluating mathematical models of evaporation from a fuel storage pond and managing the transition to a new strength of chemical used in the process.
Being by the Lake District is a great attraction and I can even see the sea from my desk.
Nicholas Clarke
Areas of work: waste
Qualifications: Physics degree, Manchester University
Time at Sellafield: 10 months
I am a graduate working in Waste as a technical advisor. This role means that I support the operation of Waste's processing and storage plants on the Sellafield site, providing them with both technical advice and support. I'm also the secretary of the local management safety committee, which is a very challenging role but a great one for learning about how safety is managed at Sellafield and how the waste unit operates.
I've found working at Sellafield really interesting, the work that I do is very varied and I doubt I could find a similar mix anywhere else in the country. One of the great things about working at Sellafield is the location, West Cumbria is a lovely place to live and as I enjoy both climbing and walking. Being able to count my driving time into the lakes in minutes rather than hours is a really nice bonus of living here!
Jason Smith
Areas of work: Safeguards
Qualifications: Maths degree, Nottingham University
Time at Sellafield: 1 year
I work in safeguards, which is responsible for making sure that no nuclear material is lost through leaks or illegal diversion. I'm in the technical department, where we keep an eye on all the technical projects going on across the company to see if any of them impact on our ability to measure how much nuclear material we have. As a graduate I get to experience a wide range of departments throughout the whole company, all of which are exciting opportunities to develop and progress within the organisation.
I moved to Cumbria because I love the outdoors: Cumbria has so much to offer! It's great to live so close to the sea and just a few miles from the fells.
Hazel Reardon
Areas of work: Magnox
Qualifications: MSci Forensic and Analytical Chemistry from University of Strathclyde
Time at Sellafield: 8 months
Job role:I am a Sellafield Ltd graduate currently working in Magnox Technical where I have been developing my knowledge of the Magnox reprocessing plants. As well as this I am also secretary for the Magnox Reprocessing technical committee.
I am an active Science and Engineering Ambassador, and have been involved in a number of events since joining Sellafield, namely the Big Bang Fair in London. I am also the RSC (Royal Society of Chemistry) Cumbria local section secretary.
