Radiation Protection Graduate Programme

Tussell Limited; Newbury; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Pension and employee share schemes

Flexible benefits (cycle to work, etc)

Wellbeing support and Employee Assist.

STEM outreach and volunteering

Job summary

Cavendish Nuclear invites graduates to join its Radiation Protection Graduate Programme, a two‑year journey designed to build breadth and depth in nuclear safety. You’ll rotate through placements, work with mentors and deliver real projects across decommissioning, waste management and facility operations at sites like Rivergate House, Newbury.

Structured training, core radiation protection concepts, and access to external courses will prepare you for senior roles within Cavendish Nuclear and the

Qualifications

• Must have or be on track to obtain a science degree in one of the listed fields.
• BPSS and Security Check clearance eligibility is required for this programme.
• Candidates should be ready to undertake security and regulatory training relevant to nuclear environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist in applying radiation protection principles across projects.
• Support assessment of radiation hazards and regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to policy development, safety reviews and report writing.

Education

Chemistry

Physics

Materials Science

Environmental Science

Nuclear Engineering

Nuclear Technology

Biochemistry

Job description

What will you do on the programme?

This is not your average graduate role. As part of our Radiation Protection team at Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll gain valuable skills and experience in one of the most important areas of the nuclear industry. You’ll help keep people and environments safe while supporting some of the UK’s most complex engineering work. From the moment you join, you’ll be contributing to real projects. You might find yourself supporting the decommissioning of redundant nuclear facilities, assisting in dismantling retired submarines, contributing to the safe operation and construction of nuclear facilities, or providing support to our facilities that use or operate with radioactive materials. Working alongside radiation protection experts with experience in applying radiation protection in both nuclear and non-nuclear regulated industries, you’ll learn to assess radiation hazards, suggest improvements, and ensure regulatory compliance. Throughout the programme, you'll collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to draft and implement radiation protection policies, and review safety systems to ensure they meet regulatory standards. Your work will involve evaluating radiation risks in the workplace, recommending safe and effective waste disposal practices, and assessing the environmental impact of radioactive materials. You'll also learn how to provide consultancy support, prepare detailed reports, liaise with regulators, and identify training needs to enhance radiation safety awareness. Every placement brings new challenges, fresh perspectives and the chance to contribute to projects that have a lasting impact on the world around you.

How is the programme structured?

This is a two-year journey designed to give you breadth, depth and clarity. Through structured placements across Cavendish Nuclear, you’ll explore different areas of radiation protection, build real-world experience and gain insight into where your skills shine brightest. You can expect real world encounters and exposure to exciting projects that will really help you navigate where you want to take your career. You’ll grow with every rotation. Supported by experienced mentors and surrounded by likeminded professionals, you’ll develop the technical know-how and personal confidence to shape your future, and ours.

How do we develop and support you?

From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond. You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing. As a Radiation Protection Graduate you will have the opportunity to attend core training to deepen your understanding of radiation protection principles. This includes internal development programmes and access to external training courses that are widely used across the industry by organisations such as the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and the Association of University Radiation Protection Officers (AURPO).

What’s waiting for you after the programme?

Graduates who complete this programme go on to play a key role as a Radiation Protection Consultant at Cavendish Nuclear. You’ll be doing work that matters – protecting people, shaping policy, and helping to deliver some of the most ambitious nuclear projects in the UK. From there, your development doesn’t stop. We’ll support you as you grow into more senior roles and take on greater responsibility. Through the Babcock Role Framework, you’ll have a clear view of how your career can progress, with mapped-out pathways, development opportunities and the tools you need to get wherever you want to go.

What rewards and benefits will you get?

In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:

• A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays
• Generous pension and employee share schemes
• Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
• Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks. You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities

Where will you be based?

Places on our Radiation Protection programme for September 2027 are available at Cavendish Nuclear. You’ll be based at Rivergate House located within Newbury Business Park, Newbury. You may also be asked to spend time in other locations depending on the needs of your placements, so flexibility is important. We offer agile working, providing some flexibility; however, you can expect to spend several days each week on‑site to support your role and development. Once you’ve successfully completed the programme, you’ll continue your career in your base location, so it’s important to consider this when applying.

• You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, a science degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science, Nuclear Engineering, Nuclear Technology or Biochemistry.
• Many of our programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve and maintain Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. For further details, visit GOV.UK and search ‘United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels’.

We are Cavendish Nuclear, a wholly owned subsidiary of Babcock International Group and the UK’s leading nuclear services company. With a highly skilled workforce we are located at offices and sites in the UK as well as internationally. Our people innovate to make nuclear safer, faster, at lower cost and deliver across all aspects of the nuclear energy life cycle, from design and build, through operations and maintenance, to decommissioning, waste management and remediation. A career with us is hugely rewarding and exciting; one that stretches and challenges individuals to be the best they can be. When you join Cavendish Nuclear, you will have opportunities to work on projects that will have an impact on the future.At Cavendish Nuclear we put people first. Work with us and you’ll discover that our focus on people is unique.