Graduate- Nuclear Services

Supports radioactive and hazardous waste management, health physics services and environmental safety through operational projects, regulatory compliance, inspections and continuous improvement.

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 wider national-security capabilities through science, engineering, technology and specialist expertise. 

Programme purpose 

Join Nuclear Services, an essential function that delivers Health Physics, waste and specialist operational services across AWE. You will support work that manages radioactive and controlled waste, protects people and the environment from ionising-radiation and contamination hazards, and helps maintain an effective emergency response capability. 

The two-year programme combines operational experience, service delivery and technical development. You will work with waste, Health Physics and specialist operations teams, contribute to improvement activity and build an understanding of the regulatory controls that govern work in hazardous environments. 

Key activities and responsibilities 

• Support projects that improve the management of radioactive, controlled and hazardous waste. 

• Help develop and deliver training programmes and awareness campaigns. 

• Review and update waste-management, customer-communication, health, safety and environmental documentation. 

• Support health, safety and environmental inspections and continual improvement. 

• Work alongside teams providing Health Physics, waste processing, emergency response and specialist operational support. 

Learning and development 

• How radioactive and controlled wastes are managed operationally and technically. 

• How ionising-radiation and environmental controls are applied in operational settings. 

• The operational application of the Ionising Radiations Regulations and Environmental Permitting Regulations. 

• How to work in a service environment against targets, timelines and budgets. 

• Problem-solving, negotiation, data interpretation, stakeholder communication and influencing. 

• How change management and sustainability principles support better waste outcomes. 

Behaviours and qualities 

• Proactive: You take ownership, look for improvements and follow through on commitments. 

• Communicative: You can explain information clearly in writing and conversation and influence constructively. 

• Detail focused: You understand why accurate records and careful working matter. 

• Customer focused: You want to provide a reliable, practical service to operational customers. 

• Organised: You can manage competing enquiries, priorities and stakeholders. 

• Numerate: You are comfortable handling and interpreting data. 

Entry requirements 

• You should hold, or be on track to achieve, a minimum 2:2 in a science- or environment-based degree, such as Environmental Science, Geoscience, Geography or Sustainability. 

• You must be available to join AWE in September 2027. 

• You must be a British National minimum of 10 years. 

• You must be willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance. 

• You must be willing to work onsite in designated areas and meet the required Occupational Health standards for hazardous and radiological environments. 

Salary and benefits 

• £31,000 starting salary. 

• A market-leading contributory pension scheme. 

• 270 hours of annual leave, including bank holidays. 

• A 9-day working fortnight, giving you every other Friday off. 

• A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme, Life Assurance and employee discounts. 

• A welcome payment and the option of an interest-free £1,000 loan. 

• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services. 

• Regular Graduate pay reviews and structured career progression. 

Support and community 

• A dedicated line manager and Evolve pathway lead. 

• A buddy, typically from an earlier Graduate cohort. 

• A supportive Early Careers community and access to employee networks. 

• Structured development, mentoring and relevant professional learning.