At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead nuclear forensics research and engage with key stakeholders on security incidents.
- Company: AWE, a leader in nuclear security with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Limited remote work; must obtain security clearance; excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in nuclear security while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in Chemistry or equivalent, strong analytical and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 47860 - 47860 £ per year.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.
Package: Starting from £47,860 per year (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience).
Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle.
Role Overview: The Nuclear Forensics team conduct applied research and development to enable support to investigations following a nuclear security incident. The position within the team is to lead the provenance element of nuclear forensics, which aims to understand and develop knowledge and skills relating to assessing the origin of nuclear material if found outside of regulatory control, in the context of a nuclear security incident or threat within the UK. As the lead within the team, you will be expected to engage with key stakeholders within Government, technical subject matter experts and international partners to shape the long-term capability to answer the questions that would arise relating to the provenance of the material.
Responsibilities:
- Work with colleagues across the business and external customer(s) to derive requirements and set programme direction.
- Represent the capability area and act as the interface with the customer, national & international partners, and programme delivery colleagues.
Qualifications:
- Self‑motivation and initiative to continually drive own progress, taking responsibility to propose and implement solutions.
- Chemistry degree or equivalent.
- Ability to analyse scientific, technical and operational problems.
- Ability to communicate complex technical activities to Government officials that relate to the issues they face, as well as an ability to translate those issues to a technical community in order to develop robust capability development activities.
- Good interpersonal and written communication skills, able to use the appropriate style and method for a wide range of situations and media.
- Enthusiasm for the subject with the ability to enthuse others.
- Understanding, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
- Hold, or be willing and able to attain, Developed Vetting (DV) security clearance.
Preferred Experience:
- Planning and implementing challenging projects, project management principles, techniques, and tools.
- Knowledge and understanding of nuclear material cycles (military and civil).
- Presenting complex work in an accessible manner to multiple types of people from various Government and technical organisations.
- Working in a multi‑disciplinary, customer facing team that delivers technically complex services in an area with robust technical requirements.
Requirements: You will need to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. This will be funded by AWE. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston. 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.
Benefits:
- 9‑day working fortnight – meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave – 39 weeks full pay and Paternity Leave – 4 weeks full pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4× annual salary).
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
NTR Senior Technical Sponsor employer: Atomic Weapons Establishment
AWE is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of nuclear forensics in a collaborative and innovative environment. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we provide a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave policies, and extensive professional development opportunities, all while being situated in a prime location between Reading and Basingstoke with free onsite parking. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive work culture that values your contributions and promotes work-life balance.
Contact Details:
Atomic Weapons Establishment Recruitment Team
