Nuclear Reactor Operator

**Schedule**
40 hours/week, 24 hour operation, 2/3 shifts

**Education Level**
College diploma

**Career Level**
mid, training provided

**Job Summary**:
Responsible for the safe operation, including start-up, shut down, maintenance, emergency response, safety, and security of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor. These activities are carried out in accordance with the operating limits and conditions established by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

**Purpose and key functions**:

- Interpret schematics and blueprints for the reactor control instrumentation and cooling systems.
- Monitor and record instrument readings and make appropriate changes to maintain correct power levels.
- Monitor a variety of parameters to ensure safe conditions during start-up of the reactor.
- Document routine and unusual reactor maintenance procedures and repairs in a logbook.
- Document the transportation of dangerous goods.
- Maintain a logbook of sample irradiation history and movements from core to storage and delivery.
- Calculate hourly and daily reactor energy output.
- Calculate reactor power demand settings and sample irradiation times based on customer requirements.
- Determine dose rates and exposures in different work locations.
- Calibrate the reactor control instrumentation and radiation control equipment.
- Identify trends in reactor operation to determine any discrepancies or preventative maintenance that may be required.
- Detect instrumentation and control system failures and malfunctions during scheduled and unscheduled events.
- Troubleshoot and correct a variety of problems using diagnostic equipment.
- Communicate reactor issues to commercial and research customers and work with them to determine and correct problems that may arise with their irradiations.
- Use various measuring tools such as flow meters, temperature probes, conductivity meters, and level and pressure gauges.
- Escort contractors and tradesmen in and out of the reactor.
- Resolve irradiation conflicts with researchers and customers by checking and verifying irradiation records.
- Identify irregularities in customer requests that may compromise reactor safety and resolve before proceeding.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with colleagues.
- Train others as directed.
- Provide advice and assist individuals who have become contaminated.
- Assemble shipping boxes for radioactive materials.
- Use a press and dye to encapsulate and seal samples in aluminum cylinders for irradiations.
- Use tools such as a drill press, lathe, and cut-off saw to produce replacement parts required for systems maintenance.
- Load and offload samples in the reactor core.
- Measure electrical circuits with voltmeters and other electrometers.
- Measure the quantity of algaecides and anti-corrosive chemicals.
- Install samples and iodine rigs in the reactor core located at the bottom of a ten meter deep pool.
- Fabricate and repair reactor parts.
- Climb ladders to access cooling tower fans to check temperatures and access primary water system valves.
- Check garbage for radioactive contamination before removal from the building.
- Assemble and move shielding walls.
- Operate crane and schedule crane use between teams.
- Coordinate sample pickup and delivery.
- Estimate time and core positions available to irradiate a specific number of samples per shift.

**Educational Requirements**
- 3 year Community College diploma in Engineering Technology or related field.
- Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

**Additional Information**:
Additional physical and health constraints may be applied to achieve these certifications.

**How To Apply**

**Employment Equity Statement**

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

**Vaccination Policy Statement**

The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or