Graduate Scheme 2027 - Information Security

United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited; Risley; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

The United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory Limited invites applications for its Information Security Graduate scheme starting Sept 2027. Based in Risley, Cheshire, the two-year programme combines hands‑on security work with mentoring and formal development to build future engineers.

You will work within the CISO Function, gaining exposure to risk assessment, security architecture and security training while developing professional skills for national security missions.

Qualifications

• Graduate with a 2:1 in Computing, Digital Technologies or equivalent.
• Right to work in the UK and ability to obtain SC level security clearance.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Support information security transformation as part of continuous security development.
• Assist with risk assessment activities and understanding information asset value.
• Collaborate with security architects to embed requirements in business operations.
• Support security education, awareness and training activities.
• Provide business answers regarding security and assess supplier security.
• Support security exercises and testing activities.
• Work with mentors and the early careers team to develop professionally.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Organisational skills

Education

2:1 in Computing or Digital Technologies or equivalent

Job description

Graduate Scheme 2027 - Information Security

UKNNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) which aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Category: Apprentice & Graduates

Salary: Salary starting at £38,877

Closing Date: 2026-12-01

Location: Risley, Cheshire

The starting salary for this position is £38,877 (Band 5A)

If you have any queries regarding the position itself please contact [e-mail].

Please be aware that all new appointments will be made in-line with the PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions. Therefore, if you are not already on PLC ‘New’ terms & conditions and you are selected and accept this role, there will be changes made to your contractual terms. The terms and conditions of the role will be made clear in the offer letter.

If you have any queries about the impact of applying for this role on your terms & conditions, pay, pension or benefits, please contact the HR Support Team .

Job Description

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At UKNNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

UKNNL is where your solutions solve real-world problems. As an Information Security Graduate, you’ll be involved in a wide range of activities and have the opportunity to see the impact your work has in a real-world environment. You will play an important part in ensuring UKNNL deliver work to benefit society by advancing cleaner energy, protecting the environment and keeping everyone safe.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at UKNNL, anything is possible.

We are developing the next generation of technical experts. Not only will you receive the opportunity to work on exciting and rewarding projects, but you’ll continually learn from skilled and knowledgeable industry experts who are leaders in their field.

We will help you become everything you can be, by challenging, stretching, and pushing you to your limits while supporting you every step of the way.

To join the UKNNL graduate programme you will have graduated, or be on course to graduate, with a 2:1 in Computing, Digital Technologies or another degree discipline.

You will have the right to work in the UK, have lived in the UK for at least 5 years and be able to achieve SC level security clearance.

You will be naturally curious with the drive and motivation to discover more about yourself and our business.

Forward-thinking, proactive and positive, you will bring your own energy to the team and you’ll have an enquiring mind that helps us to discover solutions to some of the world’s biggest issues.

You will have excellent interpersonal, communication and organisational skills.

Main Responsibilities

UKNNL is an information reliant and dependent organisation; it cannot function or benefit society without this information. Therefore, having good information security is critical to UKNNL’s continued operation.

Within UKNNL, the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) Function steer and help UKNNL and all its business teams stay information secure. The CISO Function, play a critical role in both helping protect and enable the business.

This important and at times fast moving role, will allow you to support, and get involved in a wide range of activities, including:

• Supporting activities associated with UKNNL information security transformation, as part of continuous security development
• Helping with risk assessment activities, including growing our understanding of how information is used to create value, and risk associated with each information asset
• Working with security architects to identify where and how security requirements are introduced in key business operations and projects
• Supporting information security related education, awareness and training activities
• Helping provide the business answers to questions it may have regarding security
• Assisting with understanding how secure UKNNL’s new suppliers are
• Providing support during security exercises and testing activities

Throughout the graduate programme you will have the support of our experienced early careers team, your line manager, mentor, colleagues, and fellow graduates.

You will acquire a depth of knowledge and specific technical skills and experience the full life cycle of our projects; from liaising with customers to understand their needs, planning work and developing new methods and processes, to documenting your work effectively in technical reports.

You will join an organisation where you are free to be yourself whilst being part of our incredible early career’s community. UKNNL is creating a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging through our ED&I Ambassador network and relationships with Women in Nuclear (WiN), Race Equality in Nuclear (REiN) and the Nuclear Rainbow Forum.

Your programme starts with a tailored, induction programme to welcome you into the business and to get to know your graduate cohort. The Induction will help you understand the breadth of what UKNNL does and to provide an overview of your development programme and our expectations.

You will then embark on your two-year graduate scheme undertaking a programme of activities designed to help you develop your understanding of the nuclear industry and grow as an individual, these include:

• Understanding UKNNL, the nuclear sector and nuclear professionalism
• The application of professional knowledge and skill
• Personal development and understanding your own personal brand
• Collaboration and team working
• Understanding our customer and making effective decisions

You will complete your programme with a focussed training centre to support your seamless transition off the scheme to continue your career and professional development with UKNNL. We provide support as you actively work towards professional recognition in your chosen field.

You will be based at one of our sites in the Northwest of England – Preston, Lancashire, Risley, Cheshire or West Cumbria. This role allows for hybrid working with the flexibility to work from home on some of your working days. You will be required to travel to our Risley, Cheshire site on a regular basis (if not already based there).

As part of the selection process for the graduate programme you should expect to complete online assessments. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an in-person assessment centre which will assess technical and behavioural competencies. Assessment Centres for this role will be held in February 2027.

You will start your graduate programme in early September 2027.