Undergraduate Placement - Materials Scientist

Materials Scientist AWE Placement Programme

About AWE

We are AWE. We're a team of remarkable people achieving an extraordinary mission: keeping the nation safe and secure.

Our work is critical. We are responsible for delivering the next warhead for the UK's nuclear deterrent; working at the forefront of nuclear technologies that keep the nation safe.

AWEs support for the governments strategy takes many facets: from supporting the weapon programme for the nuclear deterrent, supporting the UKs counter terrorist programme, identifying where there may be nuclear tests taking place around the world, and building an expert group of individuals in order to give the UK real depth in nuclear science and technology.

Start an extraordinary career at AWE; grow your skills, learn from industry experts and become part of a community at one of the most unique companies in the UK.

About the Year in Industry:

This position is created for university students undertaking a 12-month placement, who will joinour Materials Science area of AWE.

Materials Science supports the life cycle of warhead components and technologies to ensure the reliability of the UK's strategic deterrent and national security mission.A nuclear warhead contains a vast range of materials including metals, ceramics, inorganic salts, rubbers, foams, adhesives, high explosives and radioactive substances.Many of these have unique handling issues and our dedicated facilities ensure a safe and secure environment to undertake material property research and characterisation. Materials Science is critical to understanding and predicting the behaviour of these types of materials under various conditions.

The role is designed to help you gain experience in:

• The development of foam and aerogel materials for laser target application to support the modelling and characterisation of plasma-based reactions. This includes investigating the development and manufacture of materials using less hazardous chemicals, as well as analysing materials including chemical, physical and x-ray CT properties/characteristics.
• The development of new inorganic materials for control triggered electrical breakdown. You will be involved in investigating and developing alternative materials, the production for testing and electrical breakdown testing, as well as analysing materials including chemical, physical, and crystallographic
• The development and application of analytical methodologies associated with the qualitative and quantitative assessment of organic, inorganic and metallic materials. Techniques include mechanical, elemental, spectroscopic, rheology and thermal analyses
• Synthesis of inert precursors for direct in-flow, high-purity synthesis of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN); the application of synthetic chemistry techniques to prepare and purify target precursor compounds and evaluating batch and flow chemistry process techniques, exploring a range of process conditions, as well as chemical characterisation of inert precursors and PETN products
• Performing experimentation and applying chemistry and/or materials science knowledge to further understand the material behaviour in complex multi-material systems
• Supporting Engineering through the analysis of test pieces using various microscopic and analytical techniques, engaging with a variety of stakeholders including international partners

The Behaviours you will bring to the team

• Passion for materials development and/or analytical chemistry. Candidates will be studying for a degree in related fields such as Materials Science or Chemistry.
• Growth Mindset; Youre full of grit and determination. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
• Curious; youre a person who loves to think outside the box. (Youre a person who loves to take the box apart!).
• Innovative; youre open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
• Resilience; youre an advocate of speaking up for yourself and others openly and constructively.
• Team Worker; youre dependable and reliable.Youre interested in collaborating with and supporting others.

Location

You will be based at Aldermaston, nr. Reading, Berkshire

The Benefits

You will have the opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and to develop skills that are applicable across many industries. Successful candidates will receive:

• A salary of £22,250
• A market leading contributory pension scheme. We will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution.
• Every second Friday off. We do this by working a 41-hour week followed by a 33-hour week.
• 270 hours of annual leave a year, that includes an allowance for bank holidays.
• Access to the employee discounts portal everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.

Start Date

Undergraduate Placement Induction start date will be August 2025, so please avoid taking leave during this period if you are successful. This role is offered on a 12-month contract.

Recruitment Process

We recruit on a rolling basis which means as soon as our positions have been filled, the scheme will close to new applications. So, please apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out!

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.

Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.

Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.

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