Radiation Protection Graduate Programme

targetjobs UK; Newbury; On-site; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Generous pension and employee share

Flexible benefits

Wellbeing support and EAP

Job summary

Cavendish Nuclear invites graduates to join its Radiation Protection Graduate Programme in Newbury. You’ll gain hands-on experience in decommissioning, construction of nuclear facilities, and safe handling of radioactive materials.

Rotations, structured mentoring, and training will build your ability to assess hazards, draft protection policies, and liaise with regulators, with placements across sites. Starting salary and benefits support your development under the Babcock framework.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Physical Sciences, Natural Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Computer Science or Maths.
• Postgraduate qualification in Radiation and Environmental Protection, Safety Engineering, Nuclear Science or Nuclear Engineering is desirable.
• BPSS and Security Check clearance may be required for this programme.

Responsibilities

• Assess radiation hazards and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Draft and implement radiation protection policies.
• Prepare detailed safety reports for regulators.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on projects.
• Identify training needs to enhance radiation safety awareness.

Education

Degree in Physical Sciences, Natural Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Computer Science or Maths

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.

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?

We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too. 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.

What do you need to apply?

• You’ll need to have achieved, or be on track to achieve, an (Hons) degree in Physical Sciences, Natural Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science, Computer Science or Maths.
• A postgraduate degree in a subject like Radiation and Environmental Protection, Safety Engineering, Nuclear Science or Nuclear Engineering is desirable but it’s not essential.
• 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’.

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. Cavendish Nuclear is a core part of Babcock International Group’s Nuclear Sector. We provide a comprehensive range of critical nuclear solutions across the markets of Clean Energy, Defence and Civil Decommissioning, both in the UK and internationally. From decommissioning redundant nuclear facilities, through supporting the Continuous at Sea Deterrent, to supporting the operation and build of nuclear power plants, our role in Cavendish Nuclear is to clean up the nuclear legacy and create a world where nuclear plays a key contribution in protecting our nation, ensuring security of energy supply and meeting our net zero commitments.

Application process and important information

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received, and if there’s a high level of interest in this programme, we may close applications earlier than advertised. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible. Please apply to one programme only. If we receive more than one application from you, we’ll assess the first one submitted. If your chosen programme becomes oversubscribed, we may contact you to discuss other programmes you could be eligible for. We’re a Disability Confident Employer. If you require additional support or adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply. Our team will contact you after receiving your application to discuss your requirements and the support available. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.