Nuclear Services Graduate 2027

AWE; Brimpton; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Annual leave 270 hours

9-day fortnight

Life Assurance

Employee discounts

Job summary

AWE invites graduates to join the Evolve Graduate Programme in the Nuclear Services division. The two-year, on-site programme starts September 2027 and offers hands-on experience in waste management, Health Physics and environmental protection.

Applicants should have at least a 2:2 in a science or environment-based degree, and be eligible for DV security clearance. The role is based at AWE sites in the Reading area, Berkshire.

Qualifications

• Proactive and solution‑driven approach to work.
• Strong communication in writing and speaking.
• Attention to accurate records and data.

Responsibilities

• Support waste management, radiation protection and environmental tasks.
• Assist training delivery and awareness campaigns.
• Review and update health, safety and environmental documentation.
• Support inspections and continual improvement activities.
• Collaborate with teams on Health Physics and emergency response.

Skills

Proactive

Communicative

Detail focused

Customer focused

Organised

Numerate

Education

2:2 degree in science or environment-based field

Job description

Evolve Graduate Programme

Nuclear Services

£31,000 starting salary | Two-year programme | Starts September 2027

Why this role matters

Join Nuclear Services, an essential function that delivers Health Physics, waste and specialist operational services across AWE. You will support work that manages radioactive and controlled waste, protects people and the environment from ionising-radiation and contamination hazards, and helps maintain an effective emergency response capability.

A specialist career with real-world impact

This is a hands‑on, operational opportunity in a field where skills are in high demand. You will see how technical decisions are applied in practice and learn from specialists working on current waste, radiation‑protection and environmental challenges.

At a glance

• Salary: £31,000 starting salary plus benefits.
• Location: AWE sites in the Reading area, Berkshire - onsite
• Programme: Two-year Evolve Graduate Programme.
• Start date: September 2027.
• Entry requirement: Minimum 2:2 in a science‑or environment‑based degree, such as Environmental Science, Geoscience, Geography or Sustainability.
• Security: You must be a British National, and willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance and meet occupational‑health requirements.

What opportunities will you have?

• Waste improvement: Support projects that improve the management of radioactive, controlled and hazardous waste.
• Training and awareness: Help develop and deliver training programmes and awareness campaigns.
• Documentation: Review and update waste‑management, customer‑communication, health, safety and environmental documentation.
• Inspection and assurance: Support health, safety and environmental inspections and continual improvement.
• Operational services: Work alongside teams providing Health Physics, waste processing, emergency response and specialist operational support.

What you will learn

• How radioactive and controlled wastes are managed operationally and technically.
• How ionising‑radiation and environmental controls are applied in operational settings.
• The operational application of the Ionising Radiations Regulations and Environmental Permitting Regulations.
• How to work in a service environment against targets, timelines and budgets.
• Problem‑solving, negotiation, data interpretation, stakeholder communication and influencing.
• How change management and sustainability principles support better waste outcomes.

The behaviours and qualities we’re looking for

• Proactive: You take ownership, look for improvements and follow through on commitments.
• Communicative: You can explain information clearly in writing and conversation and influence constructively.
• Detail focused: You understand why accurate records and careful working matter.
• Customer focused: You want to provide a reliable, practical service to operational customers.
• Organised: You can manage competing enquiries, priorities and stakeholders.
• Numerate: You are comfortable handling and interpreting data.

What you will get

• £31,000 starting salary.
• A market‑leading contributory pension scheme.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.
• A 9‑day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off.
• A salary‑sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts.
• A welcome payment and the option of an interest‑free £1,000 loan.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression.

Apply

Recruitment process and key dates

• Online application: Applications open on 2 November 2026. Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.
• Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.
• Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected to run during December 2026 and January 2027.
• Pre‑assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.
• Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer, medical where required, and security‑clearance stages before joining in September 2027.

Apply early

Recruitment is rolling and applications will close once all available positions have been filled.

Reasonable adjustments

We want you to feel confident and supported throughout the application process. Tell us if a reasonable adjustment would help. Any inclusion information will be used only to support your application and handled in accordance with GDPR.