Year in Industry- Applied & Theoretical Scientist

Atomic Weapons Establishment; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Market-leading pension

9-day working fortnight

270 hours annual leave

Employee discounts portal

Job summary

Atomic Weapons Establishment invites undergraduates to join the Physics function at Aldermaston for a 12-month placement. You will assist in the full lifecycle of warhead components, supporting radiation detection, modelling, and algorithm development while working alongside mentors and a line manager.

You will gain practical knowledge through on-programme training and a cross-disciplinary undergraduate group project, with prospects to join the Graduate Programme later.

Qualifications

• Entry requirements include minimum 2:2 degree classification by August 2026.
• Subjects of interest include Physics, theoretical or applied Mathematics, Data Science, Structural Engineering, Computer Science.
• Candidates must be UK nationals eligible for DV clearance with a UK passport.

Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of warhead components and technologies within the Physics function.
• Contribute to radiation detection measurement and analysis; modelling and simulation tasks.
• Engage in on-programme and off-programme learning, with mentoring and networking opportunities.
• Develop subject knowledge and career skills for the defence industry and potential progression to the Graduate Programme.

Education

Physics

Mathematics

Data Science

Structural Engineering

Computer Science

Job description

Salary £24,500 per annum plus benefits Location Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire; onsite Contract 12 months Start date 2 August 2027 Working pattern 9-day working fortnight

About AWE: What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical? For over 75 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK's ultimate deterrent, Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions. It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?

Role purpose

As an undergraduate within our Physics function, you will work in a small team and apply your skills and knowledge to support the full lifecycle of warhead components and technologies. Teams support the mission through radiation detection measurement and analysis; photon, electron and neutron modelling codes such as MCNP; simulation and measurement of material properties in exotic states of matter found in the centre of stars and planets; development of novel computational algorithms to solve physics problems; and complex mathematical assessment.

Programme experience

You will focus mainly on one or two projects or areas, gaining deep insight into the work. A line manager and mentor will support you to navigate your time at AWE and develop career skills for the defence industry. On-programme learning combines a corporate induction, on-the-job training and classroom-based or online learning depending on the role. Off-programme learning includes participating in an undergraduate group project focused on a business deliverable. You will have opportunities to network with other undergraduates and the graduate community and begin building business contacts at AWE. By the end of the programme, you will have increased your subject knowledge and understanding and gained additional skills for your future career, with the possibility of returning to join the Graduate Programme.

Entry requirements

We are keen to hear from students studying: Physics, theoretical or applied Mathematics Data Science Structural Engineering Computer Science Before starting with AWE, you must be able to provide evidence that you have achieved a minimum 2:2 degree classification, or equivalent academic performance to date, by August 2026.

Behaviours and qualities

• Growth mindset: You are full of grit and determination, clear about where you are going and how you will get there.
• Curious: You love to think outside the box, and may even want to take the box apart.
• Innovative: You are open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
• Resilience: You advocate speaking up for yourself and others openly and constructively.
• Team worker: You are dependable and reliable, and interested in collaborating with and supporting others.

Salary and benefits

• £24,500 salary.
• A market-leading contributory pension scheme.
• AWE will pay between 9% and 13% of pensionable pay depending on your contribution.
• 270 hours of annual leave, including an allowance for bank holidays.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• A 9-day working fortnight, meaning you get every other Friday off work.
• Access to an employee discounts portal, offering everyday savings on leisure, hospitality and retail.
• Alongside these benefits, you will have the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field.

Security requirements

You must be a UK national holding a UK passport to be eligible to apply to AWE. You must have lived in the UK for 10 years to apply for Developed Vetting (DV) clearance for this role.

Inclusion and diversity

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and enable employees to 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 used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

We are recruiting right across the business: from technical roles in engineering, science, manufacturing and industrial work to business roles in areas such as IT, project management/ controls, commercial, human resources and facilities management. We also have our Evolve graduate programme, or you may be interested in an apprenticeship with our award-winning Skills Academy. What we do is vital to national nuclear security. Keeping our nation, everyone, our environment and everything around us safe and secure is a top priority for us. So, as you would expect, that brings with it a high level of safety and security that you will see across our sites and in how everyone who works here operates. We are always looking for high calibre people to join our team, so why not explore the opportunities we currently have on offer. Whatever stage of your career, AWE is an exciting and challenging environment to develop your skills and achieve your potential.