Chemistry (Regulation) - Nuclear Graduates 2027

Nuclear Graduates; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 27,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel budget

Training budget

Pension scheme

Annual leave 25 days

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Nuclear Graduates is a two-year programme sponsored by Rolls-Royce and the Office for Nuclear Regulation, managed by Energus. It offers exposure to the breadth of the UK nuclear sector through three secondments, insightful projects and a structured development plan.

As a Nuclear Graduate you will help regulate nuclear licensed sites, apply chemistry expertise to inspections, and contribute to safe design, operation and decommissioning.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 degree in a relevant subject.
• Right to work for duration of 2-year programme and security clearance checks.
• Willingness and ability to travel and relocate to sponsor locations.

Responsibilities

• Support regulation of nuclear licensed sites and contribute to safety oversight.
• Learn from experts and work on chemistry aspects across reactor chemistry, fuel management and waste management.
• Undertake inspections, assess safety cases, and collaborate with licensees and government partners.

Skills

Right to work

Willing to travel

Security clearance

Education

2:2 in a relevant degree subject

Job description

One Programme, Two Years, Three Secondments, Endless Opportunities

There has never been a more exciting time to join the nuclear sector. From energy generation to waste management, transport through to decommissioning, the Nuclear Graduates programme provides you with the opportunity to contribute to some of the biggest challenges facing our society.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has brought together leading businesses and organisations to create the award winning & professionally accredited Nuclear Graduates programme.

We are excited to announce that the sponsoring companies for the 2027 cohort are Rolls-Royce and the Office for Nuclear Regulation.

Whether your passion lies within science, engineering or business, Nuclear Graduates will ensure that over two years you will gain an invaluable insight into the breadth of the UK’s nuclear sector, giving you the opportunity to contribute to innovative designs, systems, products, and services.

As a Nuclear Graduate, you will have the opportunity to see the nuclear sector from different perspectives, learning from leading experts on projects that have real impact. You will also receive a programme of professional development to enhance your skills and expertise, whilst also demonstrating a commitment to understanding the communities in which the nuclear sector works.

As a Nuclear Graduate sponsored by ONR, you will apply your knowledge and developing expertise to support the regulation of nuclear licensed sites. Your work will contribute to ONR’s mission to ensure safe nuclear operations for a secure and sustainable future.

As part of our specialist chemistry team of inspectors, you will have a unique opportunity to get involved in a range of chemistry aspects and challenges associated with regulating the design, construction, operation and decommissioning of a range of reactor types, as well as fuel cycle and waste management facilities. The work can include undertaking inspections on nuclear licensed sites, as well as assessing the chemistry aspects of safety case submissions in relation to:

• reactor chemistry to maintain coolant loops, prevent corrosion and minimise build-up of radioactive activation products;
• spent fuel management;
• chemical processes used to treat, immobilise and condition radioactive waste for long-term safe storage and disposal; and
• chemical processes for the production of nuclear fuel, including new High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) fuels for the next generation of nuclear reactors.

We are looking for individuals who can combine strong technical capability with effective interpersonal skills. The role involves building and maintaining positive working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including licensees, government bodies and international partners.

You should be able to communicate clearly, work well as part of a team, influence others appropriately and make sound judgements. We also value self-awareness, including an understanding of your own limits and when to seek support.

We welcome applications from individuals with a BSc or MSc degree in Chemistry.

The links below provide further insight into the work of some of ONR’s Chemistry Inspectors:

Our People – Elspeth McGregor, Nuclear Safety Inspector | Office for Nuclear Regulation

Our People – Jamie Culshaw, nuclear safety inspector and chemistry specialist | Office for Nuclear Regulation

If you are passionate about making a difference to safety in the nuclear sector, enjoy a challenge and thrive in both technical and collaborative environments.

Throughout your two-year journey on the Nuclear Graduates programme you will be employed by Energus whilst being supported by an industry leading sponsoring organisation.

At the end of your two-year programme, you will be supported in securing a role with your sponsoring organisation or within the wider nuclear sector.

Entry requirements

• A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject.
• Candidates need to have the right to work for the duration of the 2 year programme. Any offers will be conditional upon satisfactory right to work checks
• Successful completion of security clearance checks
• Applicants must be willing and able to travel and relocate. Energus head office is based in Workington, Cumbria, but role locations will vary dependent on sponsor location.

Start date: September 2027

Recruitment stages

• Online application form - please complete all required sections of the application to ensure this is submitted successfully.
• Psychometric assessment - called Neurosight, this will be sent via email.
• Online interview - a 30 minute video interview with representatives from one of the sponsoring organisations.
• Assessment centre – these will be delivered face to face and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme.
• Offer - following our assessment centres, we aim to issue outcomes within two weeks. Successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as a Nuclear Graduate, working with our dedicated Energus People & Skills team to complete security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2027.
• Onboarding - we welcome all our graduates ahead of the start date, through social media groups and welcome sessions, ensuring you are prepared, and any support required is in place, providing you with the best start to your exciting future as a Nuclear Graduate.

Face-to-face assessment centres will take place in early 2027. If you are invited to an assessment centre and are unable to attend, unfortunately you may be unable to complete the selection process.

Closing Date: 12:00 (noon) Friday 6th November 2026

Any applications received after this date will not be considered. We reserve the right to close a role early should we receive sufficient applications.

Company Benefits

• Salary £30,000 per year
• £5,500 individual travel budget (for traveling to training and meetings whilst on programme)
• £3,500 flexible individual training budget
• Access to three secondments to give you experience across the breadth of the UK nuclear sector
• A dedicated team of experts to support your development and progress throughout your time on the programme
• A sponsor company lead to provide you with day-to-day support during your programme and with your secondments
• A dedicated mentor, assigned to you upon starting the programme who will stay with you throughout your Nuclear Graduates journey
• A comprehensive, tailored programme of professional development
• The support of a dedicated Nuclear Graduates programme team throughout the two years of your graduate programme. As Mental Health First Aiders the team are fully equipped to assist you through your Nuclear Graduates journey
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• 6 discretionary days leave for study and relocation
• Energus contributory pension scheme
• Energus Employee Assistance Programme and DigiCare+
• EnergUS Extras, providing in-house news, wellbeing resources and employee discounts
• Membership of up to 2 professional institutions
• Access to an independent Employee Assistance Programme service offering a 24/7 support line
• Opportunity to participate in our Cycle2Work Scheme

As proud members of the Disability Confident Scheme, Energus aim to create a fair and accessible recruitment process for all candidates. If you have a disability or health condition and require any reasonable adjustments during the application or interview process, please let us know – we will work with you to ensure your needs are met. We are committed to offering an interview to all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role. In the event of a high number of eligible applicants, we will prioritise those whose skills and experience most closely match the requirements of the role.