In my team, it’s all about how people work safely in nuclear installations, as well as the organisational and technical support this requires. At the moment, technology and society, as well as ergonomics and organisational sciences are in a high state of flux. As a result, we have to reflect the regulatory requirements in the Human & Organisational Factors Section and further refine our own regulatory methods. Inspections and expert discussions are our main working instruments. We perform these with a range of different experts, which of course also makes the working environment very multifaceted.

What I also appreciate about my job is the scope available for self-initiative. For example, with support from ENSI, I was able to complete the part-time MAS course “Philosophy and Management” at the University of Lucerne. I was also able to instigate use of the Scrum method (an agile project management approach) to manage a project in which we updated an important guideline. At ENSI, there are always opportunities to broaden your horizons and take on new challenges.

From radionuclide dispersion in the geosphere and biosphere to scenario analysis and the long-term behaviour of technical barriers; in my job, I am particularly involved in analyses relating to the safety of deep geological repositories. For example, we develop numerical models for calculating hydro-mechanical processes in the barriers and the geosphere, and investigate which phenomena influence the dispersion of radionuclides. My work makes an important contribution to the safe disposal of radioactive waste, which gives my job a worthwhile purpose. I also enjoy working at the interface with science. I studied environmental engineering at the University of Stuttgart, worked in a Swiss engineering consultancy and then held various academic positions at ETH Zurich. My current job at ENSI is excellent because I can combine theoretical knowledge and practice particularly well.

What makes our tasks particularly challenging is the complexity of the arguments, data, and models. In everything we do, we not only have to tackle the technical component, but must also take the legal situation into account and ensure the population understands our actions.

I think than ENSI is a flexible, modern, and reliable employer. I also value the wide range of continuing education and training, and the international exchange with research institutions and other regulatory authorities. Also, the work is always exciting and varied because of the regular opportunities to look beyond your immediate horizons.

My section deals with the technical and organisational measures needed to protect the personnel of nuclear installations against radiological risks. My focus is on dosimetry and epidemiology. Dosimetry includes regulatory activities, but also tasks such as managing ENSI’s internal dose accounting. In epidemiology, I am researching calculations of radiation-induced cancer risk. ENSI has given me the opportunity to carry out my doctoral thesis in this field on a part-time basis, at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, which is something I am very pleased about.

This is one of the reasons why I think ENSI is a supportive employer. In addition, I enjoy my exciting and diverse duties – no day is the same and I’m always learning something new.

Safety, personal responsibility and development potential are what I associate with ENSI and this is also reflected in my daily work. My main duty is to oversee the decommissioning of nuclear installations – both with the help of internal interdisciplinary project management and also externally through exchanges with other federal offices and cantonal bodies. I work with specialists from various fields and can combine working in the office with practical implementation on site. Swapping knowledge and experience at international level is also part of my job, and something I always find particularly interesting.

Being part of the nuclear power plant decommissioning process carries with it huge potential for technical development because the dismantling process is complex and dynamic. Some projects are the first of their kind in Switzerland, so we sometimes face completely new questions. However, right from the start of a project, ENSI creates optimum conditions for mastering the upcoming challenges thanks to intensive familiarisation with all the legal, technical and procedural issues. In addition, all employees benefit from the interdisciplinary cooperation and development opportunities – whether for example by attending seminars and workshops or participating in national and international committees. I personally came to ENSI from abroad, started as a subject specialist and have now managed two different sections. For me, it was certainly a good career move!