We are delighted to announce that James Vigor joined Eden NE as a Senior Consultant from April 2025, bringing a decade of experience in materials research experience across the civil engineering and nuclear industries.

James holds a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Sheffield supported by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA). He investigated the chemical and physical processes affecting the intermediate-level radioactive waste containment barriers and his doctoral work included direct collaboration with NDA stakeholders and multiple international scientific research institutions. He was recognised with the Mike Sellars Medal and Prize in Materials Science and Engineering in 2019.

Following his PhD, James held research positions at the University of Leeds and Imperial College London, working on projects at the interface of scientific research and the nuclear, energy, and civil engineering industry. At Leeds he founded the UKCRIC X-ray imaging facility, taking a principal operational role across over 20 cross-sector projects, taking the responsibility for implementing audit trails, inventory management for hazardous materials, and the development of data processing protocols aligned with industry and regulatory requirements. James also has experience working at synchrotron and neutron source research facilities in the UK, Europe, and USA, with extensive experience with ionising radiation and characterisation of active samples. His research has included the use of gamma spectroscopy, synchrotron X-ray diffraction, X-ray computerised microtomography, and neutron imaging, to support materials evaluation in wasteform design and disposal planning. He has handled samples activated through neutron capture and worked with fixed scintillation detectors and handheld gamma spectrometers from emission measurement and accountancy purposes.

Alongside his technical work, James has also held a lecturing post at the University of Sheffield on sustainable construction materials, and has contributed to international collaborations on waste reuse, including a funded placement at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil.

James now supports a range of projects at Eden NE, with a particular focus on radioactive waste characterisation, disposability assessment, and the development of robust, evidence-led strategies for waste management and decommissioning.