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Materials Scientist

Materials scientist in a lab holding a glass container with blue liquid, writing on a clipboard, surrounded by beakers and flasks filled with blue substances.

Your mission

£23,500 + BENEFITS | 12-MONTH PLACEMENT

If you’re interested in materials behaviour and want to get stuck into research that plays a pivotal role in UK security, then this role provides the perfect opportunity.

Materials and Analytics Science at AWE is all about making sure the UK’s nuclear deterrent stays reliable and ready. It’s the science behind the scenes, studying everything from metals and ceramics to explosive and radioactive components.

Our work is of the highest national security so you must be a British Citizen to apply.

WHAT DISCIPLINES MAY FIT THE ROLE BEST?

  • Materials Science or Chemistry with a passion for materials development and/or analytical Chemistry
  • Natural Sciences (disciplines with a Chemistry, Physics, Materials focus)

LOCATION: ALDERMASTON NEAR READING

You’ll be based at our Aldermaston site near Reading.

We work a nine-day fortnight. That means every other Friday off work & 270 hours of annual leave.

SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO DEMONSTRATE

•    Growth mindset
•    Curiosity
•    Innovation
•    Resilience
•    Teamwork

The opportunity

You’ll work with a range of expert scientists in our dedicated facilities undertaking material property research on the warhead materials including metals, ceramics, inorganic salts, rubbers, foams, adhesives, high explosives and radioactive substances.

You’ll have the opportunity to put your studies into practice, working at the cutting-edge of materials science.

Upward view of a modern building with horizontal metal slats on its facade, set against a bright sky with scattered clouds and white curved graphic lines overlaying the sky.

Group of people working in a modern, open office space; two individuals collaborate at a round table with a notebook and laptop, while others work independently in the background.

What you’ll learn

X-RAY CT | CODING | CRYSTALLOGRAPHY

Not only will you be exploring safer ways to make materials, but you’ll also have the opportunity to put your theories to the test using advanced techniques like X-Ray CT and crystallography to understand their structure.

Alongside this you’ll practice your coding skills, work through data analysis and chemistry processes all to understand how materials behave in complex systems, while collaborating with scientists, engineers and international partners.

Want to find out more?

Explore more opportunities

We offer a wide array of different opportunities for your Year in Industry.

EVOLVE

Take a look at our graduate programme EVOLVE.

FAQs

Have some more questions? Check out our FAQs.

Our mission

Learn about how we keep the nation safe through nuclear technology

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Applications are currently closed.

You can register your interest and we will reach out to you when we reopen.

Register here