Computational Materials Modeller – Year in Industry

Cooper & Hall Limited; Aldermaston; Remote; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

AWE is offering an office- and laboratory-based placement at Aldermaston near Reading, focusing on computational modelling of materials to predict performance and ageing. You will work with scientists to develop and test models and to analyse data using MATLAB, Mathematica, OpenFOAM and R, with periodic on-site collaboration.

Applicants should be pursuing a relevant degree and able to obtain DV security clearance; 9-day fortnight and no guaranteed remote work are noted as part of the role.

Qualifications

• You should be working towards at least a 2:2 degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science or Chemistry.
• Mathematics students should have modelling experience, while Chemistry students should demonstrate strong maths or programming skills.
• This placement is office and laboratory-based with security requirements.

Responsibilities

• Model development: Work with scientists to understand material ageing and model observed trends.
• Data analysis: Use statistical techniques to analyse experimental data for insights.
• Coding: Write and run code using MATLAB, Mathematica, OpenFOAM and R.
• Testing and optimisation: Use computational techniques to validate models against test cases.

Skills

Mathematical thinking

Programming confidence

Data analysis

Collaboration

Education

2:2 degree in Mathematics/Physics/Computer Science/Materials Science/Chemistry

Tools

MATLAB

Mathematica

OpenFOAM

R

Job description

Why this role matters

Use computational modelling to help predict how complex materials behave. You’ll develop and test models that help scientists understand material performance, ageing and reliability, supporting AWE’s mission-critical work.

At a glance

Entry requirement

You should be working towards at least a 2:2 degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Materials Science or Chemistry. Mathematics students should have modelling experience, while Chemistry students should be able to demonstrate strong maths or programming skills.

Security clearance

You must be a UK national, hold a UK passport, have lived in the UK for the past 10 years and be willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance.

Working pattern

A 9-day working fortnight, with every second Friday off. This is an office and laboratory-based role at Aldermaston, near Reading. Due to the nature and security of the work, we cannot guarantee opportunities to work from home.

Key dates

Applications close: 9 November 2026

Start date: 2 August 2027

What you could work on

• Model development: Work with materials and analytical scientists to understand material ageing and propose ways to model observed trends.

• Data analysis: Use statistical techniques to analyse experimental data and turn results into useful insight.

• Coding: Write, develop and run code using tools or languages such as MATLAB, Mathematica, OpenFOAM and R.

• Testing and optimisation: Use computational techniques to optimise parameters, then verify and validate models against suitable test cases.

Why being onsite will support your development

This is an office-based placement. Due to the nature and security of our work, we cannot guarantee opportunities to work from home for part of the week. Being onsite means you’ll learn directly from subject matter experts, access hands‑on support and build connections across technical teams. This day-to-day access can accelerate your development and help you get more from your placement year.

The key skills we’re looking for

• Mathematical thinking: You enjoy turning real-world problems into logical, structured approaches.

• Programming confidence: You’re interested in developing code and using computational tools to solve technical challenges.

• Data analysis: You can explore data, identify patterns and explain what the results mean.

• Collaboration: You can learn from specialists, share ideas and contribute positively to a multidisciplinary team.

Where this placement could take you

You’ll gain practical experience across the full model-development lifecycle, including coding, statistical analysis, optimisation, verification and validation. The placement can prepare you for careers in computational modelling, data science, scientific software, materials modelling or related technical fields, with the potential to return to AWE through a future graduate opportunity.