Year in Industry- Environmental Scientist

AWE; Aldermaston; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Generous holiday entitlement

Excellent work-life balance

9-day working fortnight

Employee discounts portal

Job summary

AWE invites applications for a Year in Industry Placement in Environmental Monitoring at Aldermaston. You will perform regulatory sampling, radiological and chemical monitoring of various samples and help ensure permit compliance.

The placement supports learning through real projects and reporting tasks within a dedicated team. You will gain experience in environmental programmes, field sampling, and data handling while working towards an environmental science-related degree.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2:2 degree or equivalent by August 2026.
• Fields of study include Environmental Science, Natural Sciences, Geography, Chemistry, Environmental Management.

Responsibilities

• Assist regulatory sampling and data collection.
• Support radiological and chemical monitoring.
• Contribute to permit compliance and regulatory reporting.
• Support bulk waste sentencing and statistical reporting.
• Develop field sampling capabilities.

Skills

Growth mindset

Curious

Innovative

Resilience

Team worker

Education

Environmental Science

Natural Sciences

Geography

Chemistry

Environmental Management

2:2 degree requirement by Aug 2026

Job description

Year in Industry Placement - Environmental Scientist

Salary

£24,500 per annum plus benefits

Location

Aldermaston, near Reading; onsite

Contract

12 months

Start date

2 Aug 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 student within Environmental Monitoring, you will work in an exciting part of AWE, helping to ensure compliance through the delivery of regulatory requirements. You will carry out regular scientific collection and analysis in support of regulatory duties, including radiological and chemical monitoring of aqueous, airborne particulate, sediment and organic samples.

The role provides opportunities to learn about permit compliance, produce regulatory reports and assist with programme reviews. You will also support bulk waste sentencing for small and large construction and demolition projects through planning, scientific radiological and chemical analysis, and statistical reporting.

Key activities

• Assist in environmental programme development and review to support Best Available Techniques studies and statements.
• Develop field sampling capabilities.
• Support bulk waste characterisation programmes for major projects, including planning and scheduling programme elements, managing tasking/customer agreements, and sentencing waste using statistical reporting.
• Manipulate and upload data to support permit compliance.
• Gain an overview of laboratory analytical processes.

Entry requirements

• Environmental Science
• Natural Sciences
• Geography
• Chemistry
• Environmental Management
• 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.

Most importantly, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to get involved in interesting research and tasks.

Behaviours and qualities

You will possess the following traits 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.
• Generous holiday entitlement.
• 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

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. You must be a British National to apply for a role with AWE.

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.

Important things you need to know:

• 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.

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