What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Our two-year Evolve programme offers you an exciting opportunity to join our Science career pathway. We’re looking for amazing graduates and aspiring future leaders to join us and shape the future of science at AWE.
How Evolve will help accelerate your career
The Evolve Science programme provides graduates with access to a range of engaging opportunities to learn and contribute to cutting-edge research and development. Through a series of placements, which individuals will have a significant role in shaping and selecting, you will experience a sense of the breadth and depth of science at AWE whilst at the same time contributing meaningfully to our current projects.
- During your first year, you’ll get the opportunity to undertake several short placements to give you a broad awareness and understanding of Science at AWE.
- In year two, you’ll undertake two ‘specialist’ placements that will help you develop deeper technical skills and knowledge, working on scientific challenges that support our mission.
- During your placements you’ll have the opportunity to work with leading scientists and experts in their field and have access to some of AWE’s unique and specialist facilities.
- The programme will help you gain a blend of scientific skills and experience that will enable you to enjoy an exciting and varied career, with lots of opportunity for continued development.
- Alongside your placements you will undertake a core development programme supporting the development of the soft skills such as leadership, teamwork and resilience providing you with broader personal development opportunities.
- You will also be supported in working towards professional registration relevant to your role or discipline whilst on the Evolve programme
Engage with experiences such as
- Supporting the assessment of system performance of the UK’s nuclear deterrent.
- Engaging in cutting edge research in a range of areas including nuclear forensics, quantum computing and analytical chemistry.
- Working with our supercomputing capability in developing sophisticated models.
- Interfacing with scientists from US laboratories over shared projects and focuses.
- Working hands on in a laboratory developing and testing new materials, processes and equipment.
- Using their technical insights to add value to projects within our Nuclear Threat Reduction programme in support of national security.
- Working alongside world-leading experts to overcome scientific challenges.
The behaviours and qualities you will need
- Determined – You are resilient and get things done. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
- Curious – You are a person who loves to think outside the box. (You are a person who loves to take the box apart!).
- Growth Mindset – You are open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
- Resilience – You are an advocate of ‘speaking up’ for yourself and others openly and constructively.
- Team Worker – You are dependable and reliable. You are interested in collaborating with and supporting others.
What AWE can offer you
- AWE has a highly inclusive culture. You will be supported by colleagues and management to bring your unique contribution to our work.
- You will undergo ‘DV’ security clearance to allow you to work on classified programmes.
- From Day 1 you will be collaborating with like-minded people on challenging problems, and you will encounter many professional and personal development opportunities.
- Depending on your specific placements, you may have the opportunity to interact with UK and overseas partners and customers.
- There is a vibrant early careers community at AWE. You will have the opportunity to socialise with other graduates and undergraduate placement students through organised events, the on-site Recreation Society, and ad-hoc activities.
- You can join any of our six staff-led Equity, Diversity and Inclusion working groups to help guide our supportive work culture.
- You will gain a strong feeling of satisfaction that you are making a real difference to yourself, to AWE and to the safety and security of the UK!
Entry requirements
- You will be recently qualified in a STEM-related discipline with applications particularly encouraged from those with academic backgrounds in:
- Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics/Statistics, Materials Science, Computer Science, Seismology, Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, Environmental Sciences or Forensics & Analytical Sciences.
- Before starting with the business, you will need to provide evidence that you have attained a minimum of a 2:2 in your degree.
- You must be able to join AWE in September 2025. We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, we will close.
- Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role. Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
What you will get
We will give you a competitive total reward package including salary element of £31,000 per annum and benefits including a market leading contributory pension scheme.
You will also get
- Generous holiday entitlement (270 hours of leave annually including bank holidays)
- Excellent work/life balance
- 9-day working fortnight (this means you will not work every other Friday!)
- A salary-sacrifice benefit scheme
- A welcome payment
- An option of an interest free loan of £1,000 as well as regular Graduate pay reviews
- A structured and supported career progression
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending across retail, hospitality and leisure
- Life Assurance
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
Alongside these benefits, you will get the opportunity to learn from some of the top leaders in their field.