Graduate Waste Engineer - Graduate Scheme 2025

at  UK Atomic Energy Authority

Company Description
By 2050, the planet could be using twice as much electricity compared to today. Are you interested in contributing and helping to shape the future of the world’s energy? If so, read on.
Fusion, the process that powers the Sun and Stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs.
UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research for ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid, supported by tomorrow’s power stations. In pursuit of our mission, UKAEA embraces core values: Innovative, Committed, Trusted, and Collaborative.

As an employee of UKAEA you will benefit from:

• Outstanding defined benefit pension scheme, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.
• Corporate bonus scheme up to 7% and a Relocation allowance (if eligible).
• Flexible working options including family friendly policies and the right to request flexible working from the start of your employment.
• Employee Assistance Programme and trained Mental Health First Aiders,
• Generous annual leave allowance starting with 25 days, plus 3 days Christmas closure and 2.5 privilege days, in addition to UK bank holidays
• Wide range of career development opportunities
• A vibrant culture committed to equality and being fully inclusive

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Nuclear Engineering or other science or engineering related discipline.
• Demonstrable ability to question existing scientific models, with an ability to express this clearly through high quality written reports.
• IT literate, fluent in Microsoft Office, including Excel & Access, SharePoint.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good planning, organising and time management skills.
• Discreet & professional approach to technical or scientific activities.
• Proactive approach to their own development, building knowledge and skills.
• Excellent presentation skills.
  Additional Information
  A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/
  We welcome applications from under-represented groups, particularly individuals from black and other ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and women. Our Executive team, supported by our ‘Equality, Diversity and Inclusion’ (EDI) Partner and Inclusion Ambassadors, actively promotes EDI and takes steps to increase diversity within our organization. We reinforce best practices in recruitment and selection and evaluate approaches to remove barriers to success.

THIS ROLE IS POTENTIALLY HYBRID, BUT AS IT IS A DEVELOPMENTAL ROLE, WE ENCOURAGE ALL OUR GRADUATES TO BE ONSITE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS.

Job Description
The salary for this role is £32,729.
This role requires employees to complete an online Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), including The Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks for criminal convictions.
Are you looking for an exciting opportunity to make a difference? Join our team and contribute to the future of fusion energy. As a Graduate Waste Engineer, you will play a pivotal role within the Tritium Fuel Cycle Division where you will complete a core suite of tasks and work activities designed to develop professional skills. Elements of this programme are flexible and may also include placements within other parts of the UKAEA Organisation, these can be tailored to personal development needs and to those of a specific job role.
In addition to delivering high-impact research and development programmes, the Tritium Fuel Cycle division is also responsible for designing, delivering and operating cutting-edge tritium life cycle facilities. Furthermore, the division seeks to develop productive collaborations and grow a community of experts through the sharing and assimilating of knowledge.
UKAEA’s two-year graduate scheme is split by 80% of your time developing both your general work-related skills and professional qualifications and 20% of your working time dedicated to graduate training and development. Within the graduate training and development, there is a core suite of activities designed to develop your professional and business skills. Elements of this programme are flexible and can be tailored to your personal development needs and to those of your specific job role.

THE ROLE

• Contribute to WITG work packages, which may include:
• Designing and constructing waste assay plans, including the execution and analysis of data Production of Best Available Technique (BAT) assessments, literature reviews and optioneering studies.
• Production of scientific reports, scholarly papers, and presenting findings at conferences.
• Support WIG teams performing activities associated with waste management and waste disposal including sampling goals, the assay and modelling of waste, peer reviews of data, consignment development and co-ordination of consignments off-site as directed by UKAEA procedures and instructions.
• Understanding the co-ordination and information requirements of waste producers, assurance, transport, safety case and TFC groups, including liaising with off-site and on-site laboratories to produce compliant (radiological and non-radiological) waste for disposal.
• Ensure compliance with site Environmental Permit/s, and other environmental regulatory requirements and their relevant procedures and documentation.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensure compliance with radiological control documentation including, but not limited to, local rules, risk assessments, radiological controlled area access and health physics certificates.
• Support material analysis, handling of active samples and creation of associated QA reports Identify areas where improvements could be made to measurement techniques, decontamination techniques, waste minimisation, waste volume reduction, process plant systems, and to operational practices and methodologies to satisfy BAT and support Environmental Permit requirements.
• Prepare and maintain WIU/WITG Procedures, Technical Specifications, Instructions, Risk Assessments and Method Statement (MS) documentation associated to operations where needed.
• Ensuring that the Safety, Health, and Environment culture and working practices are in alignment with the UKAEA requirements.
• Engage in active information sharing with staff and students, define and oversee Early Career projects.
• Adapt communication style to suit a broad range of situations and receivers.
• Champion and share best practice, to promote respect, inclusion, and opportunity across the UKAEA.
• Support WIG with development and delivery training and briefs related to waste and the Environmental Permit/s to staff.
• Purchasing items as agreed with Team Leader and/or budget holder, up to £20k.
  Qualifications