Radioactive Waste Manager

The European Spallation Source ERIC (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The project includes the most powerful linear proton accelerator ever built, a five-tonne, helium-cooled tungsten target wheel, 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development centre. In the context of its history and future as a scientific organisation, however, it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a brand new Big Science organisation and we are building it from the ground up. 

Come and build the future of Science with us! 

About the role

The Radioactive Waste Manager has the overall responsibility to oversee the various aspects of radioactive waste and other hazardous waste at ESS and take ownership for safe and efficient handling of such waste with main focus on radioactive waste. The role requires strategic skills, operational understanding and knowledge about radioactive waste and its legislation. Regular contact with Swedish disposal facilities, the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) and other external and internal stakeholders is a vital part of the work.

The Radioactive Waste Manager has the following key responsibilities:


• Take ownership of, and further develop and implement waste management strategies and plans for radioactive waste and other hazardous waste.
• Develop and implement guidelines, routines, documentation etc. for waste handling.
• Optimise storage capabilities and waste treatment for radioactive waste on the ESS premises working closely with internal stakeholders.
• Cooperate with the Swedish disposal facility for final disposal (SKB) and with other external stakeholders and service providers for treatment, handling and storage of radioactive waste.
• Develop, together with external stakeholders, required procedures etc. to ensure a safe and efficient transportation of radioactive waste to interim storage, waste handlers and SKB.
• Support the licensing process towards SSM.
• Follow development of relevant legislation and requirements from authorities.
• Represent ESS at national and international forums for radioactive waste handling.
• Manage other hazardous waste at ESS site in cooperation with internal stakeholders.
• Maintain contact and contracts with external disposal companies for other hazardous waste.

This is a permanent, full-time position placed in Lund, Sweden, and we need someone who can start as soon as practically possible. Probationary period six months.

About you

To be successful in this position we believe that you have a university degree, such as a bachelor’s or a master’s degree, in engineering or in another technical area that we deem relevant.

You have substantial and extensive experience from working in an advanced technical field, including solid experience from radioactive waste handling. Experience from other hazardous waste handling is an advantage but not a requirement. 

It is vital that you have long experience from stakeholder management, and you enjoy communicating and collaborating with people of various backgrounds and areas of expertise. With your experience, knowledge, and ability to listen, you naturally build trust with both internal and external stakeholders and lead the way forward.

You are used to working in both a strategic and an operational context, and have the ability to prioritise among a wide variety of responsibilities, knowing when to be more hands-on, and when to take a step back.

Rather than managing existing routines only, you see it as an exciting challenge to develop new and efficient ways of working in a dynamic environment.

Legal and/or negotiation skills is an advantage.

Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement as it is the working language at ESS. Knowledge in Swedish is an advantage.

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at a truly unique big science project, you can also expect:


• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, innovative and stimulating work environment.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.
• Focus on work-life balance.
• Preventative healthcare benefit.
• Where applicable, relocation support and allowances may also be available.

Interested? We sure hope so.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please note that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. The last day to apply is 28 July, 2024. Due to the summer vacation period, interviews will take place in August, 2024.  

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks and/or security clearance procedures, which will be performed as part of the recruitment process. 

For more information regarding the recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/careers or contact Recruitment Officer Åsa Ander at asa.ander@ess.eu 

For further information regarding the position, please contact hiring manager Ola Dahlborg at ola.dahlborg@ess.eu 

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Mikael Johansson at mikael.johansson@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at marc.kickulies@ess.eu 

Please note, due to the summer vacation period we may take a bit longer to respond to e-mails. 

We look forward to receiving your application soon!