Trials Scientist

AWE; Reading; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

AWE is seeking a Trials Scientist to support Warhead research and Nuclear Threat Reduction programmes. The role involves hands-on experiments and trials, requiring a strong background in applied physics. The successful candidate will lead teams and manage complex trials, ensuring safety and compliance. Opportunities for career development and a flexible working pattern are available.

Benefits

9-day working fortnight

Market leading pension scheme

Family friendly policies

Professional Career Development

Employee Assistance Programme

Life Assurance

Discounts on everyday spending

Paid time off for volunteering

Qualifications

• Strong degree in Physics or related subject required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally, both overseas and in the UK.

Responsibilities

• Deliver research trials and experiments under extreme conditions.
• Lead multi-discipline teams to ensure safe and effective trial delivery.
• Analyze and assess data from trials.

Skills

Applied Science

Data Analysis

Dynamic Experiment Design

Safety Management

Education

Physics Degree

MPhys

MSc

MEng

PhD

Job description

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If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Trials Scientist

Closing Date: 13th June 2025

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.

Packages

• Junior Physicists (recent graduates): £29,490 - £37,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience). Plus, role specific allowances.
• Experienced Physicists (PHD or graduates with post-grad experience): £38,020 - £43,500 (depending on your suitability and level of experience). Plus, role specific allowances.
• Senior Physicists (experienced physicists with qualifications coupled with experience in industry): £47,860 - £63,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience). Plus, role specific allowances.
  
  

Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role

AWE is currently recruiting for a Trials Scientist and Senior Trials Scientist for the Design Physics Group to support Warhead research and Nuclear Threat Reduction programmes

This role is ideally suited to an applied physicist who enjoys hands-on experiments and trials with an interest in their design and analysis of results.

Working within the Applied Research Projects Team the successful candidate will be required to deliver research trials and experiments of varying complexities, to further the understanding of systems, subsystems, components and materials subject to extreme dynamic conditions. These trials are conducted using explosives in unique facilities and capabilities on and off site, deploying a range of diagnostic techniques.

The successful candidate would lead multi-discipline teams through the lifecycle of the trial to ensure they are delivered safely and effectively to meet customer demands. They would be responsible for key design aspects of the trial, and the analysis and assessment of the data as well as assisting with fielding activities.

Who are we looking for?

We Do Need You To Have The Following

• a strong degree in Physics or a related subject with a focus on applied science. Postgraduate degrees such as MPhys, MSc, MEng, and PhD would also be welcome.
• a willingness to travel occasionally, both overseas and in the UK
  
  

Role

Whilst not to be considered a tick list, for the senior role in particular, we’d like you to have experience in some of the following:

• Dynamic experiment design and fielding, ideally working with explosive or hydrodynamic diagnostic technologies, data analysis and assessment
• Knowledge of the underpinning science related to dynamic material properties, explosives and warhead physics
• Leading or collaborating with multi-discipline teams
• Safety management systems and project processes in a highly regulated environment
• Effectively communicating and engaging with a diverse range of stakeholders
  
  

You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some Reasons We Think You’ll Love It Here

AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 9-day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
• Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
• Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
• Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
• Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
  
  

The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.

Next Steps

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important Things You Need To Know

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. The nature of our work does mean you need to be a British Citizen who has been resident in the UK for the past 5 years in order to apply for SC clearance and 10 years for DV.
• We want you to feel comfortable and able to shine during our recruitment process. Please let us know on your application form if you need any adjustments/accommodations during the process.
• Our interviews typically take place over Teams and for most roles are a 1 stage process.
  
  

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide will be stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

Please note that you must be a British Citizen to apply for a role with us.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Not Applicable

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

• Industries

  Defense and Space Manufacturing, Appliances, Electrical, and Electronics Manufacturing, and Oil and Gas

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