Job description
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 join our Modelling Team in Materials and This position is created for university students undertaking a 12-month placement, who will join our 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 Benefits
- The opportunity to learn from subject matter experts and to develop skills that are applicable across many industries.
- 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 annual leave a year that includes an allowance for bank holidays.
- Access to the employee discounts portal – everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.
Starting 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.
What we are looking for
- 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; You’re full of grit and determination. Clear where you are going and how you will get there.
- Curious; you’re a person who loves to think outside the box. (You’re a person who loves to take the box apart!).
- Innovative; you’re open to learning about new technologies and ground-breaking ideas.
- Resilience; you’re an advocate of ‘speaking up’ for yourself and others openly and constructively.
- Team Worker; you’re dependable and reliable. You’re interested in collaborating with and supporting others.
- 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.
Accepted degree subjects
Any
Additional job details
- Location
- Aldermaston
- Salary
- £22,250
- Contract, dates and working times
- Fixed term
Full-time
How to apply
If eligible you will be invited to complete online testing against various numerical, verbal, logical and cognitive reasoning tests, you will be given access to practice ahead of completing them.
Those successful at testing will be invited to our virtual assessment centres running throughout the period 14 October to 14 December 2024, and early into January 2025.
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!
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.
Contact us
If you have questions during the application process, please reach out to the Early Careers Team
Click Apply to start your application now. This job will be available on Prospects until 30 November 2024
Don't forget to mention Prospects to employers when you contact them.
Closing date: 30 November 2024