Research Assistant - NORM-BMI, Physics, School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering (University of Galway 040-24)

27 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Galway

Research Field

Physics » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Ireland

Application Deadline

12 Mar 2024 - 17:00 (Europe/London)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a full-time fixed-term contract position as a Research Assistant in Physics, School of Natural Sciences, College of Science and Engineering at the University of Galway, Ireland.  

 

Position is funded by the EPA and is available from the 31st March 2024 for 2 years. 

 

The Medical Physics research cluster activities link fundamental physics knowledge with clinical, environmental and industry applications.  Recent projects include projects which ultimately aim to improve radiotherapy treatments using Monte Carlo simulations, environmental radiation related research and the development of novel dosimetry & imaging systems. We also have a large network of collaborating, companies, institutes, and research centers throughout Ireland and the world. This group also collaborates with colleagues and other groups across the College and Science and Engineering in University of Galway. 

 

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) are present globally and under certain circumstances can result in radiation exposure to workers, members of the public and non-human biota. Naturally occurring radionuclides can include a variety of sources, however, from a radiation protection perspective the significant contributors to radiation exposure are uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), and their decay products and potassium (40K). NORM also includes materials that have enhanced radioactivity due to human activity (IAEA, 2019). NORM research in the EU has intensified in recent years with the implementation of various regulatory frameworks including the European Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom (EU BSS) (EC, 2014). This EPA funded project is complementary to this research and will build upon knowledge gained in these projects including the European RadoNorm project (www.radonorm.eu ). The project concept will build on our team’s long-standing inter-disciplinary expertise in radiation science (recent EPA funded projects include OptiSDS and OptiPSD ) and the built environment (including Construct Innovate ɫ https://constructinnovate.ie/ ) which has informed national policy on radiation exposure and the built environment. 

 

Central to this project will be the ability to internationally compare and exchange best available practices with respect to the regulation and management of NORM in building materials. The approach will include collation of international data, assessment of the associated radiation risks, pilot of a measurement programme which will utilise state-of-the-art gamma ray spectroscopy equipment and finally make recommendations to the EPA on appropriate management options and graded approaches for regulatory control. 

 

ɫ Construct Innovate (https://constructinnovate.ie/ ) is Ireland’s national Research Centre for Construction Technology and Innovation. Coordinated by University of Galway and supported by Enterprise Ireland, the Centre includes partner institutions Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, TU Dublin and the Irish Green Building Council. The Centre’s vision is to make Ireland a global research and innovation leader for sustainable construction and built environment technology. Construct Innovate is bringing together the whole value chain to accelerate people-centric innovation in construction and the built environment that drives the transition towards a sustainable society and economy, relying on the active engagement of its members and a European network of innovation. Construct Innovate launched in December 2022 and already have over 40 Associate Members. These are supported by over 300 researchers in 23 different research groups. In addition, Construct Innovate has received over 100 additional expressions of interest from companies in the construction sector to engage with Construct Innovate. Our team of researchers in Construct Innovate has collaborated with around 200 industry partners on innovative and impactful R&D projects worth over €300 million during the period 2017-2022 (further details at https://constructinnovate.ie/recent-rd-projects/ ). Furthermore, Construct Innovate have regular meetings and interactions with various government departments. A working group will be established in Construct Innovate to support the research team in delivering the NORM-BMI project. 

 

 Job Description: 

The successful candidate will conduct a comprehensive review of best practice in EU member states on assessing natural radioactivity in building materials, sampling protocols and state-of-the-art sampling techniques. The project will harness the extensive experience of the project team in both radiation science and the built environment. 

 

This project will support the EPA’s mandate in policy implementation by providing a clear picture of the NORM in building materials landscape in the EU. The extensive review in addition with the pilot sampling programme will facilitate an appropriately scaled and targeted monitoring programme to investigate NORM in building materials in Ireland. Addressing these knowledge gaps and providing recommendations for a monitoring programme in Ireland will ensure there is an improved circularity of construction products and the use of more sustainable materials in construction into the future. 

 

Duties:   

• Quantify the levels of natural radioactivity (uranium, thorium, and potassium) in commonly used building materials (including virgin and recycled aggregates).  
• Evaluate the potential health risks associated with elevated levels of natural radioactivity in building materials.  
• Develop guidelines and recommendations for the safe use of building materials based on the obtained data. 
• Conduct a comprehensive review of qualitative and quantitative national and international data on NORM in building materials.  
• Conduct a comprehensive review of best practice in the EU member states on assessing NORM in building materials.  
• Review the methodologies for the calculation of the absorbed dose rates and effective doses resulting from the measured activities.  
• Analysis of the obtained data to identify any regional or material-specific variations.  
• Development of guidelines and recommendations based on the analysis, considering national and international standards and regulations. 
• Successful delivery of all aspects of the NORM-BMI communication plan. 
• Disseminate research output via journal and conference publications, and conference presentations. 
• Outreach materials, targeted stakeholder information, research publications. 
• Any other duties assigned commensurate to this level of post. 

 

Qualifications/Skills required:  

Essential Requirements: 

• Minimum of 2.1 Honours Bachelor Degree in Physics, Engineering or related discipline. 
• Evidence of relevant lab experience in Physics, Engineering, or closely related disciplines. 
• Excellent organizational skills. 
• Excellent written and verbal English. 
• Excellent communication skills. 

 

Desirable Requirements:  

• Masters Degree in Physics or Engineering or related discipline. 
• Experience in gamma ray spectroscopy. 
• Project management experience.  
• Evidence of scientific publication and dissemination. 
• Knowledge of naturally occurring radioactive material. 

 

Salary: Research Assistant salary scale €30,025 - €39,908 per annum, (subject to the project’s funding limitations), and pro rata for shorter and/or part-time contracts.  

 

The default position for all new public sector appointments is the 1st point of the salary scale. This may be reviewed, and consideration afforded to appointment at a higher point on the payscale (subject to the project’s funding limitations), where evidence of prior years’ equivalent experience is accepted in determining placement on the scale above point 1, subject to the maximum of the scale.  

 

Research Salary Scales - University of Galway).  

 

Start date: Position is available immediately. 

 

Continuing Professional Development/Training: 

Researchers at University of Galway are encouraged to avail of a range of training and development opportunities designed to support their personal career development plans. University of Galway provides continuing professional development supports for all researchers seeking to build their own career pathways either within or beyond academia.  Researchers are encouraged to engage with our Researcher Development Centre (RDC) upon commencing employment - see HERE  for further information. 

 

Further information on research and working at University of Galway is available on Research at University of Galway  

 

For information on moving to Ireland please see www.euraxess.ie   

 

Further information about the Medical Physics Research Cluster is available at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/physics/research/photonicsandimaging/medicalphysics/     

 

(Informal enquiries concerning the post may be made to Associate Professor Mark Foley [email protected] )  

 

 

To Apply: 

Applications to include a covering letter, CV, and the contact details of three referees should be sent, via e-mail (in word or PDF only) to Mark Foley [email protected]    

 

Please put reference number University of Galway 040-24 in subject line of e-mail application. 

 

Closing date for receipt of applications is 5.00 pm (Irish Time) 12th March 2024 

 

 We reserve the right to re-advertise or extend the closing date for this post. 

 

University of Galway is an equal opportunities employer. 

 

All positions are recruited in line with Open, Transparent, Merit (OTM) and Competency based recruitment  

Requirements

Research Field

Physics » Other

Education Level

Undergraduate

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Galway

Country

Europe

Geofield

Where to apply

E-mail

[email protected]

Contact

State/Province

Ireland

City

Galway

Website

https://www.universityofgalway.ie/

Street

University Road

Postal Code

H91 TK33

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED