Undergraduate Nuclear Materials Trainee

AWE plc; Reading; On-site; GBP 24,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense organization in Reading is offering a one-year internship in Nuclear Materials Management starting August 2026. This role supports national security through materials management, providing valuable operational experience with non-lab work, and potential for future graduate roles. Candidates must be studying towards relevant degrees with a minimum 2:2 requirement by August 2026.

Benefits

£23,500 salary

270 hours annual holiday

9-day working fortnight

Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme

Discounts on everyday spending

Qualifications

• Candidates studying towards a degree in nuclear science, chemical engineering, materials science, or equivalent.
• Provide evidence of a minimum 2:2 degree by August 2026.

Responsibilities

• Work in an operational facility with Nuclear Materials.
• Gain understanding of nuclear facility operations.
• Undertake audits of nuclear materials and processes.
• Understand legislative nuclear material requirements.
• Interact with stakeholders including the DNO customer.

Skills

Curiosity

Problem-solving

Understanding of nuclear facilities

Education

Degree in nuclear science, engineering or related fields

Job description

Overview

Year in Industry - Nuclear Materials Management (Operations) at AWE. This is a one-year placement starting August 2026. We recruit on a rolling basis, which means as soon as positions are filled we may close earlier than the stated closing date.

What to Expect

Operations supports AWE's mission by translating demand from customer programmes into products and services to fulfil the needs of the Defence Nuclear Organisation (Ministry of Defence) and to maintain national security. The group spans technical reporting, experimental tests, and management of materials, including nuclear materials. The role is within Nuclear Material Operations and is NOT a lab-based role. The team provides policy and training to support the accountancy and control of strategic materials, delivers annual accounts to the Defence Nuclear Organisation, and conducts auditing and verification of strategic materials in facilities at AWE(A) & AWE(B). It also provides suitably qualified and experienced personnel for nuclear material inventory control, maintains and develops the fissile material control system, and supports criticality safety, movement control, and accountancy in production facilities.

Responsibilities

• Work in an operational facility with Nuclear Materials and undertake respirator operations as required.
• Gain an understanding of how a nuclear facility operates, including planning, production processes, safety case, criticality safety, training, and regulatory, policy, and local work instruction generation and compliance.
• Opportunity to visit various facilities and undertake physical verification and audits of nuclear materials and processes.
• Develop appreciation of challenges in transitioning to new facilities and provide SME knowledge to projects.
• Understand legislative nuclear material and accountancy requirements, generation of accounts, and how these support Licensed Conditions, Defence Nuclear Security, National Audit Office, environmental permits, and the Strategic Materials Strategy.
• Interact with stakeholders including the DNO customer.
• Undergo medical fitness checks and be able to wear PPE (respirator) in the materials area as required during placement; you will receive full training and a thorough induction.

Qualifications

• Candidates studying towards a degree in nuclear science, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, systems engineering, chemistry, or related engineering/science fields are encouraged to apply; all Engineering and Sciences will be considered.
• NOT a lab-based role.
• Before starting, provide evidence of a minimum 2:2 in your degree by August 2026.

Additional Information

We are looking for people who are naturally curious, enjoy solving complex problems, and are willing to learn in a unique, classified environment where trust and integrity are key. You will be resilient, eager to grow, and ready to apply your skills to real-world challenges. Embrace our behaviours: connecting with respect, keeping our promises, staying safe and secure, and embracing simplicity.

Benefits

• £23,500 salary
• Holiday entitlement of 270 hours annually including bank holidays
• Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant grad social scene
• 9-day working fortnight – every other Friday off
• Salary-sacrifice benefit scheme
• Welcome payment
• Potential to secure a Graduate role on completion, subject to availability
• Discounts on a wide range of everyday spending
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to Occupational Health Services