Expert Panel on Natural Hazards

Description

ONR requires external support to provide independent expert advice and technical reviews of safety documentation to ensure that our regulatory assessments and decisions are well informed and robust. A panel of experts has been convened; the Expert Panel on Natural Hazards (comprised of the Seismic Hazards Sub-Panel and the Meteorological & Coastal Flood Hazards Sub-Panel). The role of this panel is to provide advice to ONR staff responsible for regulating in the external hazards area (across the various ONR programmes of work, and not just nuclear new build). ONR is looking to appoint members to the Expert Panel as follows: Seismic Hazard Expert for Nuclear Facilities Seismology Expert Structural Geologist & Capable Faulting Expert Coastal Flooding & Shoreline Interaction Expert Sea Level Rise Expert Meteorology Expert Climate Impacts Expert Lot 1: A1 - Seismic Hazard Expert for Nuclear Facilities 1.1 ONR is seeking a new panel member with expertise in seismic hazard assessment to take the lead in reviewing the seismic hazard characterisation of UK nuclear sites. The candidate should be a recognised expert in the field of seismic hazard and risk analysis, both within the UK and internationally, ideally through extensive and highly cited peer-reviewed publication in these areas, as well as through high-level engagements and other indicators of esteem. The candidate would be expected to be familiar with UK seismicity and seismic hazard; experience of seismic hazard assessments in the UK and in other regions including those of relatively low seismic activity would both be viewed as very positive attributes. 1.2 The candidate would ideally have worked on seismic hazard assessments for nuclear facilities and other major infrastructure as a consultant and/or reviewer. Experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas, would also be an advantage; familiarity with ONR's guidelines for natural hazard assessments would be viewed as a positive attribute. Evidence of experience related to the SSHAC process as a framework for conducting seismic hazard assessments is essential. 1.3 The individual is expected to have a strong understanding of how seismic hazard analysis is utilised in practice as part of the broader civil engineering analysis as well as a demonstrable ability to understand the wider context as well as the technical detail. Expertise in cross over areas such as structural dynamics and structural reliability would be complementary to this role. 1.4 Although being able to work within a team is important for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the seismic hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. The individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole panel. 1.5 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. 1.6 This role will comprise: • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Lot 2: Seismic Hazard Expert for Nuclear Facilities 1.1 ONR is seeking a new panel member with a strong seismological background and a good understanding of the geophysical processes that underpin the occurrence of earthquakes in an intraplate region like the UK. The individual will ideally have a good understanding of seismic hazard and the relationship between the occurrence of earthquakes and how this informs the practice of seismic hazard analysis. In particular, a good understanding of the uncertainties surrounding earthquake occurrence in an environment like the UK is essential. 1.2 The candidate will have a strong background in statistical seismology and in understanding the earthquake source mechanics, founded on analysis of experimental rock physics and natural earthquake data, including the effect of small samples in an intraplate area on the random and systematic errors in parameters for seismicity models, and on characterisations of the epistemic uncertainties that arise from lack of knowledge of long term processes. 1.3 Evidence of experience related to the SSHAC process as a framework for conducting seismic hazard assessments is important. Experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas, would also be an advantage; familiarity with ONR's guidelines for natural hazard assessments would be viewed as a positive attribute. 1.4 Although being able to work within a team is important for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the seismic hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. The individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole panel. 1.5 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Lot 3: A3 - Structural Geologist & Capable Faulting Expert .1 ONR is seeking a panel member with a strong background in structural geology and a good understanding of the geological processes associated with crustal deformation, faulting and seismicity - both in the geological past and present day. The individual will need specific experience in the application of field-based geological observations, geophysical remote sensing and borehole techniques that are used to fully characterise the geology of a site across a wide range of scales in order to assess the likelihood of capable (i.e., surface rupturing) faulting hazards. The relevance of such knowledge to understanding geological aspects of a PSHA study will also be needed. These skills will be enhanced by specific expertise in fault weakening and reactivation processes, together with direct, research-level experience in the application of radiometric dating techniques to determine past movement histories along known geological faults located close to a site. 1.2 A thorough understanding of the geology and geological evolution of the British Isles and surrounding offshore continental shelf regions will also be required for this role. An ability to link these regional geological processes to our understanding of the uncertainties surrounding earthquake occurrence in an intraplate setting such as the UK will also be essential. 1.3 Evidence of experience related to the SSHAC process as a framework for conducting seismic hazard assessments is important. Experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas, would also be an advantage; familiarity with ONR's guidelines for natural hazard assessments would be viewed as a positive attribute. 1.4 Although being able to work within a team is important for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the seismic hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. The individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole panel. 1.5 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Lot 4: A4 - Coastal Flooding & Shoreline Interaction Expert 1.1 ONR is seeking an individual who is suitably qualified and experienced in assessment of coastal flooding and shoreline interactions. Extreme flooding is a recognised and significant hazard considered in nuclear safety cases and its importance has increased because of the general learning from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant incident and because of recent flooding events in the UK. 1.2 The individual will be required to provide technical advice and guidance to both the ONR and other members of the Expert Panel on issues relating to coastal flooding, shoreline interactions, coastal erosion and morphological changes, compound flooding events and the impact of climate change on coastal flooding hazards in the UK. Knowledge of extreme flooding events is required. Expertise in coastal flooding analysis is essential, including the collection, processing, interpretation and modelling (via both numerical and physical models) of relevant data sets. The individual should also have knowledge of protection against coastal flooding hazards including the design of engineered defences to relevant codes and standards. Understanding of the uncertainties surrounding the occurrence of extreme coastal flooding hazards in the UK is essential. The individual should also be aware of climate change and the associated impacts on extreme coastal flooding and erosion events in the UK. Experience of other flooding mechanisms (pluvial and fluvial), including modelling and analysis techniques, would be beneficial for this role. 1.3 The individual should be a recognised expert in the field of coastal flooding and shoreline interactions, and risk analysis, both within the UK and internationally. The individual should have an extensive and highly cited peer-reviewed record of publications in this and related areas, as well as through high-level engagements and other indicators of esteem. 1.4 The individual would ideally have experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas. Familiarity with ONR's regulatory guidance for external hazards and assessment of safety cases would be viewed as a positive attribute. Experience in communication regarding coastal flooding hazards, the impacts of climate change on the hazards, and risk to non-experts would also be beneficial, for example through the provision of training courses or engagements as an expert witness. 1.5 The individual should have a demonstrable ability to be able to understand the wider context as well as the technical detail. An appreciation of the challenges faced not only in the characterisation of coastal flooding hazards but also in its use in subsequent analyses for nuclear facilities would be of benefit to this role. The individual should be familiar with good practice for coastal flooding and shoreline interactions including the UK Climate Projections and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 1.6 Although being able to work within a team is an essential for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the meteorological and coastal flood hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. As noted above, the individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole sub-panel. 1.7 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. 1.8 This role will comprise: • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Additional information: In order to gain access to the tender documentation you will be required to register your organisation details on the ONR Procurement Portal, free of charge, by accessing the following link : https://onr.delta-esourcing.com/ When prompted, please enter Access Code UXCMR7W934 to be linked directly to the opportunity. The tender reference for this specific opportunity is ONR/T849. Lot 5: A5 - Sea Level Rise Expert 1.1 ONR is seeking an individual with expertise in oceanography and the assessment of sealevel rise and storminess. 1.2 The individual will be required to provide technical advice and guidance to both the ONR Page 15 to 25 and other members of the Expert Panel on issues related to: ocean physics and systems, sealevel rise and storminess (i.e. storm surges). The individual will need to understand and articulate the potential implications of the aforementioned technical topics on coastal flooding hazards in the UK including extreme events. The individual should understand hazard analysis (including the collection, processing, interpretation and modelling of relevant data sets) and climate change impacts on ocean systems. Understanding of the uncertainties surrounding data sets, extreme sea levels, the impact of climate change on sea level rise, and the occurrence of extreme sea levels in the UK is essential. 1.3 The individual should be a recognised expert in the field of oceanography and risk analysis, both within the UK and internationally. The individual should have an extensive and highly cited peer-reviewed record of publications in these and related areas, as well as through high-level engagements and other indicators of esteem. Understanding of the latest scientific research trends relevant to sea level rise is important, including those matters that are associated with significant uncertainty for future sea level rise. 1.4 The individual would ideally have experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas. Familiarity with ONR's regulatory guidance for external hazards and assessment of safety cases would be viewed as a positive attribute. Experience in communication regarding oceanic physics and systems, the impacts of climate change on those systems, and risk to non-experts would also be beneficial, for example through the provision of training courses or engagements as an expert witness. 1.5 The individual should have a demonstrable ability to be able to understand the wider context as well as the technical detail. An appreciation of the challenges faced not only in the characterisation of sea-level rise and storminess but also in its contribution to coastal flooding hazards that may impact nuclear facilities would be of benefit to this role. The individual should be familiar with good practice including the UK Climate Projections and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 1.6 Although being able to work within a team is an essential for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the meteorological and coastal flood hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. As noted above, the individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole sub-panel. 1.7 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. 1.8 This role will comprise: • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Additional information: In order to gain access to the tender documentation you will be required to register your organisation details on the ONR Procurement Portal, free of charge, by accessing the following link : https://onr.delta-esourcing.com/ When prompted, please enter Access Code UXCMR7W934 to be linked directly to the opportunity. The tender reference for this specific opportunity is ONR/T849. Lot 6: A6 - Meteorology Expert 2.1 ONR is seeking an individual with expertise in meteorology, and the processes that cause extreme weather in the UK. 2.2 The individual will be required to provide technical advice and guidance to both the ONR and other members of the Expert Panel on issues related to meteorology and associated extreme weather hazards in the UK. Knowledge of global weather systems, and how these impact the UK climate is required. The individual will have experience of meteorological hazard analysis (including the collection, processing, interpretation and modelling of meteorological data) and climate change impacts on meteorological phenomena in the UK including extreme events. Understanding the uncertainties relating to meteorological data sets, extreme weather occurrence in the UK and climate change effects is essential. 2.3 The individual should be a recognised expert in the field of meteorology and risk analysis, both within the UK and internationally. The individual should have an extensive and highly cited peer-reviewed record of publications in this and related areas, as well as through highlevel engagements and other indicators of esteem. 2.4 The individual would ideally have experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas. Familiarity with ONR's regulatory guidance for external hazards and assessment of safety cases would be viewed as a positive attribute. Experience in communication of meteorology, the impacts of climate change on extreme meteorological phenomena, and risk to non-experts would also be beneficial, for example through the provision of training courses or engagements as an expert witness. 2.5 The individual should have a demonstrable ability to be able to understand the wider context as well as the technical detail. An appreciation of the challenges faced not only in meteorological analysis, but also in its use in meteorological hazard characterisation and assessment for nuclear facilities would be of benefit to this role. The individual should be familiar with good practice for meteorological hazards and climate change including the UK Climate Projections and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Knowledge of how meteorological hazards are used in design codes would be beneficial. 2.6 Although being able to work within a team is an essential for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the meteorological and coastal flood hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. As noted above, the individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole sub-panel. 2.7 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. 2.8 This role will comprise: • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Additional information: In order to gain access to the tender documentation you will be required to register your organisation details on the ONR Procurement Portal, free of charge, by accessing the following link : https://onr.delta-esourcing.com/ When prompted, please enter Access Code UXCMR7W934 to be linked directly to the opportunity. The tender reference for this specific opportunity is ONR/T849. Lot 7: A7 - Climate Impacts Expert 2.1 ONR is seeking an individual with expertise in assessment of climate impacts. This is an important role on the Expert Panel as the Climate Impacts Expert will bridge between the meteorology and coastal flooding aspects of the sub-panel to provide a broader, contextual view of climate impacts for the UK and implications for relevant natural hazards. 2.2 The individual will be required to provide technical advice and guidance to both the ONR and other members of the Expert Panel on issues related to climate change and its potential implications for meteorological and coastal flooding hazards in the UK. Expertise in analysis of climate change is essential, including the collection, processing, interpretation and modelling of relevant data sets to forecast future climate. Understanding of the uncertainties surrounding occurrence of climate change in the UK, and the impact of potential changes on relevant earth systems and natural hazards is essential. The individual should be knowledgeable of extreme phenomena and tipping points in global systems. Knowledge of paleoclimate and significant climate events from the past is important for establishing the broader context of potential climate change in the UK. 2.3 The individual should be a recognised expert in the field of climate science and risk analysis, both within the UK and internationally. The individual should have an extensive and highly cited peer-reviewed record of publications in these and related areas, as well as through high-level engagements and other indicators of esteem. 2.4 The individual would ideally have experience of working in a regulatory context, in the UK and/or overseas. Familiarity with ONR's regulatory guidance for external hazards and assessment of safety cases would be viewed as a positive attribute. Experience in communication regarding climate change impacts and risk to non-experts would also be beneficial, for example through the provision of training courses or engagements as an expert witness. 2.5 The individual should have a demonstrable ability to be able to understand the wider context as well as the technical detail. An appreciation of the challenges faced not only in the characterisation of climate change but also in its use in subsequent hazard characterisation and assessment for nuclear facilities would be of benefit to this role. The individual should be familiar with good practice including the UK Climate Projections and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2.6 Although being able to work within a team is an essential for this role, the ability to impart review comments and guidance in a constructive manner supplemented where necessary by substantive dialogue is important. Compromise and pragmatic judgment are needed and the ability to articulate issues in a way that focusses on the significance of their contribution to the meteorological and coastal flood hazard analysis, of which they are part, rather than simply their academic merit, is essential. As noted above, the individual will be expected to pool their knowledge and experience to the benefit of the whole sub-panel. 2.7 The individual will provide a peer review function for the Meteorological & Coastal Flooding Sub-Panel. It is important that they have a broad knowledge of earth sciences. 2.8 Requests for advice from panel members, in line with the type of work defined in para. 1.8 above, will be sought by the Project Officer from time to time. 2.9 This role will comprise: • The proposed contract term is three years, with the option of an extension for a further two years. Bidders should be aware that this is not guaranteed and will be dependent on ONR's requirements. The contract will operate on a limit of liability basis, assumed to be effective from 01 July 2022. • ONR will reimburse based on an appropriate day rate that will be agreed upon following receipt of the applicant's formal proposal. Remuneration is based on completion of work packages assigned by the ONR Project Officer. • The level of effort required will vary, but it is anticipated that it will be up to a maximum of 30 days per year. Additional information: In order to gain access to the tender documentation you will be required to register your organisation details on the ONR Procurement Portal, free of charge, by accessing the following link : https://onr.delta-esourcing.com/ When prompted, please enter Access Code UXCMR7W934 to be linked directly to the opportunity. The tender reference for this specific opportunity is ONR/T849.