Graduate Trainee - Nuclear Services

If you’d like to be considered for this opportunity we encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment as if applications are high the role will close before the closing date given.

Graduate Trainee - Nuclear Services

Programme 

Evolve Graduate Programme 

Salary 

£31,000 starting salary plus benefits 

Location 

AWE sites in the Reading area, Berkshire - onsite 

Duration 

Two years 

Start date 

September 2027 

Working pattern 

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 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.

Recruitment process and key dates

• Online application: Applications open on 2 November 2026. Apply for the pathway that best matches your interests and goals.

• Online assessment: If eligible, complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning assessments. Practice materials will be available.

• Virtual assessment centre: Successful candidates will be invited to a virtual assessment centre, expected to run during December 2026 and January 2027.

• Pre-assessment support: Attend guidance webinars so you know what to expect and can prepare.

• Offer and clearance: Successful candidates will move into the offer, medical where required, and security-clearance stages before joining in September 2027.

Security and operational requirements 

You must be a British National, aged 18 or over, and willing and able to obtain and maintain DV security clearance. The role involves designated and potentially hazardous areas. You must be medically fit for the work, including radiological controlled areas where dosimetry may be required, and may need to attend and maintain an Occupational Health assessment. 

Inclusion and reasonable adjustments

AWE aims to create workplaces where differences are recognised and celebrated, diverse contributions are encouraged and employees feel able to be themselves. Reasonable adjustments are available throughout the application process, with inclusion information handled in accordance with GDPR.

Next steps:

Everyone who works at AWE brings unique skills and perspectives to the table. We recognise that great people don’t always ‘tick every box’. That’s why we focus on your potential, your fit with our values, your transferable skills as well as your experience. Even if you don’t meet every point above, but you feel that this role and AWE are a great fit for you, please go ahead and apply, we’d love to receive your application.

Important things you need to know:

• We encourage you to apply promptly to avoid disappointment if applications are high and the role therefore closes.
• 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.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees 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 stored in accordance with GDPR and kept separate from your application form and CV, and the information will not be shared with anyone involved in interviewing or making hiring decisions.

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