Radiochemical Scientist

Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking.

Package: 28,420 - 42,640 (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. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.

Let us introduce the role: AWE is currently recruiting a Radiochemical Scientist for the Radiochemistry Group. This role is ideally suited to a scientist who enjoys hands-on wet separation chemistry and has an interest in analytical science and associated measurement techniques (e.g. radiometrology, mass spectrometry). The Radiochemistry Group within the Materials & Analytical Science (MAS) Function supports multiple programmes at AWE. This includes Nuclear Forensics for our Nuclear Threat Reduction customer who require us to maintain and develop a diverse capability which utilises a range of techniques to characterise materials used throughout the nuclear industry. The multidisciplined group collaborate with chemists, physicists and material scientists across MAS to provide an extensive characterisation capability.

The role requires you to provide technical knowledge and expertise in the field of materials and chemical science to ensure the delivery of the programme and external collaborative projects, in a cost effective, quality conscious, safe and secure manner.

Who are we looking for? We do need you to have the following:

• A recognised degree level or post graduate science qualification in Chemistry or a Chemical Sciences related field e.g. Geochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Natural Sciences.
• Good laboratory skills are required and so is a willingness to work with radioactive material.
• Experience in some of the following: Separation Chemistry, Chemical Dissolution, Analytical Chemistry.
• An understanding of working with radioactive material.
• A strong team player: Experience of working in a team towards common goals.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and oral, and able to communicate information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong IT skills - willingness to contribute to the Team's data management and knowledge capture capabilities.
• Experience or knowledge of method development, validation and associated quality systems.
• Experience using statistical tools to perform data analysis and interpretation.
• Willingness to represent AWE externally and able to travel abroad if required.

You will need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.

Some reasons we think you’ll love it here: AWE has a wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• 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 x 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.

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.