Starting salary £23,500 plus benefits and welcome bonus | Office based in Aldermaston, nr Reading, Berkshire. We are offering a rewarding and exciting one-year placement as an Undergraduate Nuclear Materials Trainee at AWE - a role where you will make a genuine contribution to keeping the UK safe and secure. Entry Requirements We are interested in applications from candidates working towards a degree in: Those studying nuclear science, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, materials science, systems engineering and chemistry may find themselves best suited and interested in these positions. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT A LAB BASED ROLE. Before starting with the business, you will need to be able to provide evidence that you have attained a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree so far by August 2026. You must be able to Join AWE in August 2026. We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we will close. What to Expect on the Programme Operations supports AWEs mission by taking the demand from our customer programmes to deliver the products and services they need to fulfil the needs of the Defence Nuclear Organisation (Ministry of Defence) in maintaining our national security. We have a diverse range of products across Operations from a technical report, to experimental tests, to a fully assembled nuclear warhead. Operations is also responsible for keeping our sites open, safe and secure. The role will be within Nuclear Material Operations and is NOT a lab based role. This group provides the Company Policy & Training to support the Accountancy & Control of Strategic Materials (Accountable Nuclear Materials and Other Special Materials) They deliver the Company Annual Accounts to the Defence Nuclear Organisationfor these materials and undertake independent Auditing and Verification of Strategic materials in our facilities at AWE(A) & AWE(B). They provide Suitably Qualified & Experienced PersonnelNuclear Material Inventory Control staff in facilities to oversee material moves and processing. They Maintain & Develop the Fissile Material Control System used in our Production Facilities to support Criticality Safety, Movement Control & Accountancy. Working in an operational facility with Nuclear Materials and undertaking respirator operations. Gaining an understanding of a how a Nuclear facility operates including:-planning, production processes, safety case, criticality safety, trainingand generating & complying with regulation, policy & local work instructions. Opportunity to visit various facilities and undertake Physical Verification and Audits of Nuclear Materials and Processes. Opportunity to gain an appreciation of the challenges in transitioning to new facilities and providing SME knowledge into projects. Gaining an appreciation of the legislative Nuclear material & accountancy requirements, generation of accounts and how these support our Licensed Conditions, Defence Nuclear Security, National Audit Office, Environmental Permits and our Strategic Materials Strategy. Interactions with various stakeholders including our DNO customer. Candidates must be medically fit and able to wear a respirator when working in the materials area of operations as and when required as PPE during their placement. You will be fully trained and undergo a thorough induction process when working in the operations function. Benefits: £23,500 salary Holiday entitlement of 270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays Excellent work/life balance and a vibrant and welcoming grad social scene 9-day working fortnight - so every other Friday off A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme A welcome payment Potential to secure a Graduate role for when you finish university, subject to availability Access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure Access to our Employee Assistance Programme Access to our Occupational Health Services Application Process: Our process is designed to be simple, fair and transparent: Online Application Opens 15th September. Explore the option and apply for one pathway that best suits your interests and goals. Online Tests If shortlisted, youll complete numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive assessments. Practice materials will be available to ensure you know what to expect. Virtual Assessment Centre Successful candidates will be invited to virtual ACs running NovDec 2025, with pre-assessment webinars to guide you. You must be a British National, able to start in August 2026, and eligible for security clearance. Applications close on Friday 24 th October, but will close earlier if we receive enough applications, so apply early. Support & Inclusion : We welcome diverse applicants and strive to create a workplace where differences are recognised and celebrated. We encourage requests for reasonable adjustments if required, to ensure you feel able to perform your best. Any information you share will be used only to support you through the process in line with GDPR. Why AWE?: Build leadership skills, self-awareness, and teamwork. Join a vibrant early careers community with events, ERG s and networking opportunities. Benefit from continual support: a line manager, pathway lead, and buddy to guide your journey. Who Were Looking For : Curious, problem-solvers with integrity, resilience, and a collaborative mindset. Youll thrive if youre eager to grow and ready to apply your skills to real-world challenges.