Year in Industry- Nuclear Safety

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

Benefits offered by this job

9-day fortnights

270 hours annual leave

Employee discounts

Job summary

AWE at Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire, offers a Year in Industry Placement for a Nuclear Safety Assessment Specialist. The 12‑month, full‑time placement starts 2 August 2027 and pays £24,500 per annum with benefits.

You will join a team assessing hazards, modelling accident scenarios and supporting safety cases, gaining exposure to design, engineering and regulatory interfaces across projects. Candidates should be on track for at least a 2:2 in a STEM degree and be available to start in

Qualifications

• We are interested in candidates working towards any STEM-related degree.
• This is not a lab-based role.

Responsibilities

• Support the analysis and assessment of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards associated with facilities, plant, equipment or products.
• Contribute to the development and review of safety assessments, justifications and safety cases in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE requirements.
• Develop an understanding of current health and safety legislation, the Office for Nuclear Regulation licensing regime and the ALARP principle (As Low As Reasonably Practical)
• Support the production of technical reports that explain and justify how risks are controlled.
• Work with operators, facility management, engineers, scientists and regulators.
• Apply technical problem-solving and evidence-based thinking to real project challenges.

Skills

Growth mindset

Curious

Analytical thinking

Resilience

Team worker

Education

STEM-related degree

Job description

Year in Industry Placement - Nuclear Safety Assessment Specialist

Salary

£24,500 per annum plus benefits

Location

Aldermaston, near Reading, Berkshire; onsite. NOT A LAB BASED ROLE

Contract

12 months

Start date

2 August 2027

Working pattern

Full time, 9-day working fortnight

About AWE

We are a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. Our work supports the UK's independent nuclear deterrent and extends into vital areas including counter-terrorism, global nuclear test monitoring and the development of world-class nuclear science expertise.

At AWE, you will find purpose, growth and the opportunity to learn from specialists while contributing to work that protects lives and strengthens national security.

Role purpose

As an undergraduate Nuclear Safety Assessment Specialist, you will work as part of a team that assesses the risks and consequences of design, engineering and operational failures. You will help model accident scenarios, identify controls and support the evidence needed to demonstrate that hazards are appropriately managed.

The role may provide experience across the project lifecycle, including new facility design, major modifications, production, research and development, and decommissioning. You will also develop an understanding of how AWE works with its regulators.

Key activities

• Support the analysis and assessment of nuclear, radiological, chemical, explosives and other major hazards associated with facilities, plant, equipment or products.

• Contribute to the development and review of safety assessments, justifications and safety cases in line with relevant legislation, industry standards and AWE requirements.

• Develop an understanding of current health and safety legislation, the Office for Nuclear Regulation licensing regime and the ALARP principle (As Low As Reasonably Practical)

• Support the production of technical reports that explain and justify how risks are controlled.

• Work with operators, facility management, engineers, scientists and regulators.

• Apply technical problem-solving and evidence-based thinking to real project challenges.

Entry requirements

We are interested in candidates working towards any STEM-related degree. Please note that this is not a lab-based role.

• You must be on track to achieve a minimum 2:2 in your degree by August 2027.

• You must be graduating in either 2029 or 2030 and completing a placement year as part of your degree.

• You must be available to start the placement in August 2027.

Most importantly, we are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are keen to learn, ask questions and contribute to complex technical work.

Behaviours and qualities

• Growth mindset: You are determined, open to feedback and motivated to develop.

• Curious: You enjoy understanding why things happen and asking thoughtful questions.

• Analytical: You can assess information, recognise detail and explain your reasoning.

• Resilience: You can adapt, learn from challenges and speak up constructively.

• Team worker: You are dependable, collaborative and willing to support others.

Salary and benefits

• £24,500 salary.

• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays.

• Excellent work-life balance.

• A full-time, 9-day working fortnight, meaning you get every other Friday off work.

• Salary-sacrifice benefits and employee discounts across retail, hospitality and leisure.

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health support.

• The potential to return to AWE in a graduate role after university, subject to performance and available roles.

Alongside these benefits, you will learn from subject matter experts from day one, support live projects and build specialist experience.

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 differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves at work. We encourage diverse applicants and welcome requests for reasonable adjustments.

Any inclusion information you provide will be used only to support you through the application process and will be held for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.