Job Title: Reactor Chemist
Location: Plymouth, Devon
Compensation: Competitive + Benefits
Role Type: Full time / Permanent
Role ID: SF
Where science protects people, the environment and national security
At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as a Reactor Chemist at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.
The role
As a Reactor Chemist, you’ll provide specialist scientific expertise that is fundamental to the safe and compliant operation of submarine nuclear reactor systems. Working on a licensed nuclear site, your role is central to chemistry control, radiochemical analysis and environmental compliance across all stages of submarine maintenance, refit, testing and defuel activities.
Day-to-day, you’ll interpret complex data, influence decision‑making, and work collaboratively across engineering, operations and safety teams. In return, you’ll gain deep technical experience, exposure to nationally critical programmes, and long‑term career development within one of the UK’s most trusted engineering organisations.
1. Performing chemical and radiochemical analysis of samples from submarines and nuclear infrastructure systems
2. Monitoring reactor and water chemistry during refit, repair, testing and defuel activities
3. Analysing effluents and swabs to ensure compliance with environmental permits and cleanliness standards
4. Supporting radioactive waste characterisation, enabling safe transport and disposal
5. Providing expert scientific advice, working closely with multidisciplinary teams across the dockyard
This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.
Essential experience of the Reactor Chemist
6. Experience in radiochemistry, water chemistry or analytical chemistry within a regulated environment
7. Practical laboratory experience, including sampling, analysis and interpretation of complex data
8. Understanding of chemical control principles related to corrosion, contamination and safety
9. Experience working to defined procedures, standards and quality systems
10. Ability to communicate scientific findings clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders
Qualifications for the Reactor Chemist
11. Degree, or equivalent, in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline
12. Experience working within a UKAS‑accredited laboratory environment - Advantageous
13. Additional nuclear, radiological or analytical qualifications are desirable
Security Clearance
The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.
Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at Babcock
We’re Babcock — a global FTSE organisation with over 26, people working together to make a difference.
Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.
We call that lifetime engineering.
Join us and see how far we can go, together.
We are a disability confident committed employer.