Radiological Protection - NDA group graduates 2027

Cooper & Hall Limited; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 29,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary £32,000 per year

Professional development programme (£9

Mentor & networks

Travel & subsistence

25 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle2Work Scheme

Job summary

Energus in the NDA group invites graduates to join a two-year Radiological Protection pathway across multiple UK sites. You will gain hands-on experience in radiological risk assessment, monitoring, dose management and environmental protection within a national mission.

The programme supports professional accreditation, mentorship and a tailored development plan, with relocation to sites as needed and ongoing opportunities within the NDA group and wider nuclear sector.

Qualifications

• 2:2 degree in a relevant subject (minimum).
• Right to work in the UK for duration of the programme.
• Willingness to travel and relocate to NDA sites as required.
• Demonstrated commitment to NDA group values: Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Performance, Creativity.

Responsibilities

• Assist in radiological protection activities across NDA group sites.
• Contribute to radiological risk assessment, monitoring and dose management.
• Support environmental protection and safety initiatives within nuclear operations.

Skills

Willingness to relocate

Interest in science and safety

Education

2:2 degree in a relevant subject

Job description

Radiological Protection - NDA group graduates 2027

As part of the NDA group Graduate Programme, you will have the opportunity to gain experience across the organisations that make up the NDA group, working in a variety of teams, locations and environments. You'll contribute to meaningful work that has a lasting impact, helping to support the safe, secure and sustainable management of the UK's nuclear legacy. Along the way, you'll learn from industry experts, build valuable networks and develop a broad range of technical, professional and behavioural skills that will prepare you for a successful career in the nuclear sector.

Alongside your placements, you'll take part in the NDA group Graduate Development Programme, designed to accelerate your personal and professional growth. Where relevant, you'll be supported to achieve professional accreditation, registration or chartership. With guidance from experienced professionals, mentors and programme stakeholders, you'll gain the knowledge, confidence and capability needed to thrive across the NDA group and make a meaningful contribution to the future of the UK's nuclear industry.

The Environment, Health, Safety, Security and Quality (EHSS&Q) Job Family supports the NDA group in operating safely, securely, responsibly and in line with relevant standards and requirements. Professionals within this family help protect people, assets, information, communities and the environment by identifying risks, promoting high standards and supporting informed decision-making across complex operational and project environments.

This job family plays a vital role in maintaining compliance, driving continuous improvement, strengthening organisational resilience and ensuring work is delivered safely and effectively in some of the UK's most challenging environments.

Radiological Protection professionals play a critical role in helping the NDA group manage radiological hazards safely and responsibly throughout the lifecycle of nuclear operations, decommissioning programmes and waste management activities, protecting workers, the public, and the environment.

Working closely with operational, engineering and safety professionals, these teams help develop radiological protection strategies, assess emerging risks, oversee monitoring arrangements and provide expert support for a wide range of activities across the NDA group.

This discipline is central to maintaining safe nuclear operations and enabling the successful delivery of long-term decommissioning and environmental restoration programmes.

As a Radiological Protection Graduate, you will help protect people, communities and the environment while supporting one of the UK's most complex and nationally significant environmental missions.

Radiological Protection plays a critical role in ensuring nuclear operations, decommissioning programmes and waste management activities are delivered safely and responsibly. Through your placements, you will develop specialist knowledge of how radiological hazards are identified, assessed, monitored and controlled within complex nuclear environments.

Working alongside experienced radiological protection professionals and multidisciplinary teams, you may contribute to activities such as radiological risk assessment, workplace and environmental monitoring, dose management, contamination control, radiological assurance, emergency preparedness and operational support. You will develop an understanding of how radiological safety supports informed decision-making, regulatory compliance and effective mission delivery.

You could gain exposure to a wide range of operational and project activities, helping to assess emerging risks, provide technical advice, support operational planning and maintain the high standards required to protect workers, the public and the environment. This breadth of experience will provide valuable insight into how specialist radiological expertise enables safe nuclear operations and environmental restoration.

Through this pathway, you will develop a strong understanding of the science, regulations and practical controls that underpin radiological safety, while contributing to work that has a direct and lasting impact on people and the environment.

This pathway would suit individuals who are interested in science, safety and environmental protection, and who enjoy applying technical knowledge to real-world challenges.

Whether your interests lie in risk assessment, monitoring, environmental protection, operational support or nuclear safety, this pathway will provide valuable experience within a unique and nationally important industry.

Location

Various UK Locations

The NDA groupoperatesfrom more than 30 sites and office locations across England,Scotlandand Wales.Applicantsmust be geographically flexible and willing torelocateto any of our sitesto support business requirements and development opportunities across the programme.

Support is available to help graduates relocate where required.

Why us?

Throughout your two-year journey on the NDA group graduates programme, you will be employed by Energus and complete two 12-month secondments within the NDA group.

At the end of the programme, we will support you to secure a role within the NDA group or within the wider nuclear sector, helping you take the next step in your career.

Benefits whilst on the programme are:

• Annual salary of £32,000
• A comprehensive, tailored programme of professional development worth £9,900 which includes Membership of up to 2 professional institutions
• A robust support network which includes dedicated mentor, a company lead, access to our graduate and employee networks and a pastoral care professional
• Generously funded travel & subsistence to support with travel to training and events
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidaysand 6 additional discretionary days leave
• as well as membership of Energus’Contributory pension scheme,Employee Assistance Programme, Aviva DigiCare+(to help you take control of your health and wellbeing) and our Cycle2Work Scheme

To be considered for a place on our prestigious programmes, you will need

• A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject
• The right to work in the UK for the duration of the programme.
• To be willing and able to travel and relocate to any of the offices/sites that host secondments for your chosen programme. Secondments are organised to maximise your development and are aligned to business needs.
• To show that you personify our group values of Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Performance, & Creativity

Any offers will be conditional upon you providing proof of your right to work and passing security clearance and vetting checks.

Recruitment stages

The recruitment and selection process consists of the following stages:

• Online application form - please complete all required sections of the application to ensure this is submitted successfully.
• Psychometric assessment - called Neurosight, this will be sent via email.
• Online interview - a 30 minute video interview with representatives from one of the sponsoring organisations.
• Assessment centre – these will be delivered face to face and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme.
• Offer - following our assessment centres, we aim to issue outcomes within two weeks. Successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as an NDA group Graduate, working with our dedicated Energus People & Skills team to complete security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2027.
• Onboarding - we welcome all our graduates ahead of the start date, through social media groups and welcome sessions, ensuring you are prepared, and any support required is in place, providing you with the best start to your exciting future as an NDA group Graduate.

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 NDA group Graduates application is required, please do not submit multiple applications.

We’re the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group.Funded by the UK Government, we’re safely and securely decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear facilities and preparing them for their next u