Maritime Nuclear Innovation Advisor

Can you provide credible, strategic advice on complex civil nuclear technologies and regulatory issues?

Do you have the skills to build consensus across government, regulators, industry and academia?

Have you analysed emerging technologies and translated complex evidence into clear advice for senior decision-makers?

If so, wed love to hear from you!

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is seeking a Maritime Nuclear Innovation Advisor to lead the UK Maritime Innovation Hubs engagement on civil maritime nuclear technologies. You will act as the MCAs focal point for early regulatory dialogue, stakeholder coordination and evidence gathering, helping organisations understand the UK regulatory landscape and relevant regulatory interfaces. Working across the MCA, wider government, regulators, industry, academia and international organisations, you will strengthen the Agencys understanding of nuclear propulsion and other emerging maritime nuclear applications, identify strategic risks and opportunities, and support safe, proportionate and evidence-led regulatory thinking. This is a high-profile opportunity to shape regulatory preparedness in a rapidly developing area of maritime innovation.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the Kings birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Read more in the Benefits section below!

Find out more about what it's like working at: Maritime and Coastguard Agency - Department for Transport Careers

As a Maritime Nuclear Innovation Advisor, you will lead the MCAs early engagement on civil maritime nuclear technologies. You will coordinate stakeholders, analyse developments and regulatory implications, and provide clear, evidence-based advice to senior leaders. You will help identify regulatory interfaces, gaps and approval pathways while supporting national and international collaboration on the safe and responsible development of maritime nuclear innovation.

Your responsibilities will include, but arent limited to:

• Leading UKMIH advice and engagement on civil maritime nuclear propulsion and wider maritime nuclear technologies.
• Acting as the MCAs principal point of contact for early regulatory engagement with developers, operators, investors, academia and research organisations.
• Building effective relationships across government, regulators, international organisations, classification societies and technical bodies.
• Providing strategic, evidence-based briefings and recommendations to senior leaders on developments, risks, opportunities and regulatory implications.
• Coordinating cross-government and cross-regulator work to clarify responsibilities, interfaces, gaps and dependencies.
• Monitoring national and international developments and lead analysis to inform MCA policy, regulatory thinking and future capability.
• Leading projects, research, commissioned activities, position papers, submissions and stakeholder communications.
• Representing the MCA in relevant forums and work across internal teams to strengthen coordination, knowledge sharing and regulatory preparedness.

For further information on the role, please read the role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

1. Professional experience or postgraduate-level knowledge of civil nuclear technology, regulation, safety, reactor systems or the wider civil nuclear sector.
2. Strong analytical skills and experience assessing and synthesising complex technical, regulatory, safety, engineering, scientific or policy evidence.
3. Experience building and managing relationships with senior stakeholders across government, industry, academia and the civil nuclear sector, while balancing competing priorities.
4. Excellent communication and influencing skills, including explaining complex issues, negotiating and building consensus across organisational, professional and regulatory boundaries.
5. Experience preparing high-quality briefings, submissions, reports or advice for senior decision-makers on emerging technologies, including strategic risks, opportunities and regulatory implications.
6. Eligibility to obtain SC clearance and willingness to obtain DV clearance as this may be required in the future.

Additional Information

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week.

Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 30 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location/visiting stakeholders. Your designated workplace will be your contractual place of work. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

Some domestic and international travel to other offices will be required, which may involve overnight stays.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category, and we will not sponsor a visa. Therefore, this role is not open to applications from those who require sponsorship candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.