Plant Chemistry - Nuclear Graduates 2027

Nuclear Graduates; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £30,000 per year

Travel budget £5,500

Training budget £3,500

Three secondments

Dedicated mentor

Pension scheme

Employee assistance programme

Cycle to work scheme

25 days annual leave + holidays

Job summary

The Nuclear Graduates programme offers a unique two-year pathway across the UK nuclear sector, combining practical placements with professional development.

You will be employed by Energus and supported by a sponsoring organisation, with three secondments and direct access to industry experts to shape your early career in chemistry, materials, or related science fields.

Start date September 2027 with locations varying by sponsor; a strong emphasis on your future roles in the wider nuclear sector.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 in a relevant degree subject.
• Right to work for the 2-year programme; offers conditional upon checks.
• Successful completion of security clearance checks.
• Willing and able to travel and relocate; roles vary by sponsor location.

Responsibilities

• Develop understanding of nuclear plant chemistry specs and policies.
• Build technical skills to address plant chemistry issues and solutions.
• Advise on plant corrosion-related issues.
• Contribute to development of new analytical techniques.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Chemistry

Materials

Other science-focused degrees

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 plant chemistry Nuclear Graduate, you will develop and apply an understanding of plant chemistry and corrosion across the full naval reactor life cycle.

You will gain experience in:

• Plant water chemistry
• Plant radiochemistry
• Plant corrosion
• Chemical analysis

Key Accountabilities

• Developing an understanding of nuclear plant chemistry specifications and policies.
• Developing the technical skills needed to address plant chemistry issues and solutions
• Understanding and advising on plant corrosion-related issues
• Involvement in the development of new analytical techniques.

Graduates are expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 at Bachelor's level in one of the following degrees:

• Chemistry
• Materials
• Other degrees with a strong science focus will be considered.

Graduates who would fit well on our programme also have the following attributes:

• Educational experience in chemistry
• A strong interest in nuclear science and technology
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills

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

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.

We encourage you to regularly check emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) throughout the selection process, all correspondence including selection invitation will be sent via email.

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. We encourage that you apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. Please note only one Nuclear Graduates application is required, please do not submit multiple 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.