Environmental Scientist - Undergraduate Placement

AWE plc; Spencers Wood; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and security company in the UK offers a one-year placement as an Undergraduate Production Trainee. This role allows Environmental Science students to contribute to regulatory compliance and analytical processes while gaining hands-on experience. Responsibilities include assisting in environmental programme development, supporting sampling capabilities, and data analysis for permit compliance. Attractive benefits include a competitive salary of £23,500, a 9-day working fortnight, and potential for a graduate role post-placement.

Benefits

Holiday entitlement of 270 hours annually

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Working towards a degree in Environmental Science, with a 2:2 classification by August 2026.
• British National eligible for security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Assist in environmental programme development and review.
• Support in-field sampling capability development.
• Assist with bulk waste characterisation programmes.
• Contribute to data analysis and reporting for permit compliance.
• Manage tasking and customer agreements.

Skills

Curiosity

Problem-solving

Integrity

Resilience

Collaboration

Education

Degree in Environmental Science or Ecology

Job description

Overview

We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Production Trainee at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure. As an Environmental Scientist undergraduate student you will have the opportunity to work with world-class scientists in an exciting part of AWE that provides a wide range of analytical capabilities and expert advice to AWE and government agencies / external customers, whilst ensuring AWE meets regulatory and licence condition compliance. The placement will also involve lab and desk-based placement activities to assist in environmental programme development and review to support Best Available Techniques (BAT) studies and statements, alongside the development of in-field sampling capabilities. The placement will offer the candidate the opportunity to support bulk waste characterisation programmes and major projects, including planning and scheduling programme elements, managing tasking (customer agreements) and sentencing waste using statistical reporting. Experience will be gained in data manipulation and the uploading of data to support permit compliance, and an overview of laboratory analytical processes used within this area.

Note: Shortlisting may include online tests and a virtual assessment centre as part of the selection process.

Responsibilities

• Lab and desk-based placement assisting in environmental programme development and review to support BAT studies and statements.
• Support in-field sampling capability development.
• Assist with bulk waste characterisation programmes and major projects (planning, scheduling, tasking, customer agreements).
• Sentencing waste using statistical reporting and contributing to data analysis and reporting for permit compliance.
• Gain experience in data manipulation and uploading data to support permit compliance, and understand laboratory analytical processes used within this area.

Qualifications and Requirements

• We are interested in applications from candidates working towards a degree in Environmental Science.
• Minimum 2:2 degree classification expected by August 2026.
• You must be able to join AWE in August 2026.
• You must be a British National, able to start in August 2026, and eligible for security clearance.
• Curious, problem-solvers with integrity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset. You\'ll thrive if you\'re eager to grow and ready to apply your skills to real-world challenges.
• Accepted degree subjects: Environmental Science and Ecology.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary: £23,500 per annum.
• Holiday entitlement of 270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays.
• Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant and welcoming graduate social scene.
• 9-day working fortnight – every other Friday off.
• Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme.
• Welcome payment.
• Potential to secure a Graduate role upon completion, subject to availability.
• Access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Programme.
• Access to our Occupational Health Services.

Why AWE?

• Build leadership skills, self-awareness, and teamwork.
• Join a vibrant early careers community with events, ERGs and networking opportunities.
• Benefit from continual support: a line manager, pathway lead, and a buddy to guide your journey.