John Browning

John Browning graduated from Kent in 2009 with a BSc Physics degree and has since built a career in Radiation Protection. He initially joined Dstl on graduate training scheme and is now Head of Radiation Protection for Cavendish Nuclear - a large engineering company with several sites and projects.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After I graduation, I began a Graduate Health Physicist trainee scheme with a company called Dstl. I was made aware of Dstl after going to a careers event at Kent and telling one of the advisors I wanted a career in science. I completed the training scheme at Dstl in just over a year and then I was made a Junior Health Physicist, carrying out visits and giving radiation protection advice to various Ministry of Defence sites. 

After about four years, I changed jobs and went to work at a decommissioning nuclear reactor in Dorset, originally called RSRL but later it became part of Magnox. Whilst there I learnt a lot about working on a nuclear licensed site, gained great practical experience of operational radiation protection, and achieved my Radiation Protection Adviser accreditation. This is a nationally recognised certification and is a legally required role. Whilst still working for Magnox I moved to a different site in Kent where I worked for a waste team dealing with high activity waste. 

A couple of years ago I was successful at interview for my current job as Head of Radiation Protection for Cavendish Nuclear. Cavendish Nuclear are a large engineering company with several sites and teams on many customer sites and projects. 

What does a typical work day look like for you?

A typical day might include giving advice to one of our sites on an operational aspect or reviewing a radiation risk assessment. Then I might be involved with a new project for a client and advising on the approach that should be taken. I'm also responsible for maintaining our documentation and standards, investigations, and interfacing with other Radiation Protection Advisers.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

My favourite professional highlight was monitoring the fuel channels of a core inside the primary containment of a reactor - we were lowering a probe on a long cable and measured the highest radiation dose rates I've ever seen. 

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

My time at Kent gave me an excellent understanding of physics which is a great base for Radiation Protection. It also taught me problem solving skills, the ability to analyse an issue from different view points, and an element of prioritisation. 

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Anyone looking to get into the same line of work should look for graduate roles with Cavendish Nuclear or our parent company Babcock – both run large graduate schemes each year, and these include a number of Radiation Protection specific positions.

Many other organisations also run graduate schemes, such as the Nuclear Graduates Scheme. Another route could be to consider completing a Masters degree.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

My favourite memory from Kent is difficult to pick as I had such a great time and loved my course and all the people I met!

I particularly loved going to Artsfest in the summer and chilling on the grass with my mates and a few drinks. My friends and I also used to host poker nights regularly which were a great way to relax after lectures. 

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I lived fairly local prior to starting university and in my second year I decided to move back home which I wouldn't do that if I had my time again! I enjoyed living with my friends far more, so I moved back to Canterbury in third year which was by far my favourite year. 

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I still talk to a few people from my course, one of whom remains my best mate. We still visit each other regularly and were best men at each other’s weddings.

I occasionally see or talk to one of my other classmates as she is also in the field of Radiation Protection. She did a master’s and then joined a company from there.

We did have a class reunion ten years after graduation, which was amazing, as it was so good to catch up with everyone! 

What are your future ambitions?

In the future I'd like to progress to either a more senior role in the company such as overall head of safety, or to a more technical role.