Details
Scientific Nuclear Apprentice
We are looking for a motivated and inquisitive individual to join us as Nuclear Scientific Degree Apprentice.
This is a unique opportunity to earn a degree while working within one of the UK’s most important sectors—developing scientific, technical, and professional skills that support safe and environmentally responsible nuclear operations.
As a Nuclear Scientific Degree Apprentice, you will help ensure systems, processes and equipment operate safely, efficiently and in line with regulatory requirements and professional standards. You will develop core scientific and engineering knowledge, along with the behaviours and discipline skills needed for your role ranging from design and plant performance improvements to operational management, project support and maintaining safety standards.
Throughout the programme, you will apply analytical thinking to real‑world challenges and contribute innovative, practical solutions.
A significant part of your role will involve developing a strong understanding of radioactive waste management. You will learn how radioactive waste is:
- Identified and characterised
- Treated and processed
- Packaged for safe storage
- Disposed of responsibly and in line with environmental standards
You will also support and gain experience in a variety of waste management activities, building your understanding of the hazards associated with nuclear operations, the potential consequences of those hazards, and how risks are assessed and controlled. This experience will help you contribute to ongoing improvements in how we safely and sustainably manage radioactive waste.
Job Description
The types of activities you may be involved with as a Nuclear Scientific Apprentice will include but are not limited too:
- Completing Waste Assessments
- Contributing to Scope Documents
- Checking of Consignment Paperwork
- Attending External Site Visits
- Compiling Waste Information for BAT Assessments
- Support facilitation of optioneering sessions
- Preparation and review of safety case documentation
- Manging implementation of controls identified
- Stakeholder engagement to improve hazard understanding and control
- Identification and implementing of process improvements
What are we looking for?
Skills and qualities that would be beneficial to this role are:
- Ability to work within a team and under own initiative
- Ability to problem solve and good attention to detail
- Proactive work ethic and enthusiasm
- Good verbal and written communicator
- Resilience and motivated
- Good organisational skills
- Good IT Skills
This is a science-based role so an interest in maths, chemistry, physics or any other science relevant subject would be appropriate.
Entry Requirements
Typically, candidates will have achieved grade C or above in at least five GCSE’s including English, Maths and a Science subject. Candidates will also hold 3x A-levels (Grade A*-C) or existing relevant Level 3 qualification equivalent to UCAS points.
Please note if successful in being shortlisted to interview, interviews will be scheduled May 2026. Proposed start date for this apprenticeship will be September 2026.
Why NWS?
- A fully funded degree alongside meaningful industry experience
- Rotational placements across multiple nuclear disciplines
- Mentoring and support from experienced scientific and engineering professionals
- Development of scientific, technical and professional competencies
- A strong foundation for a long‑term career within the nuclear and environmental sectors
Who are we?
Simply put, our job is to secure a safer future for us all. We do this by managing and disposing of the UK’s nuclear radioactive waste safely and securely for generations to come. We have a critical role in the biggest multi-decade clean-up project in Europe. As part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) group, we provide permanent answers for nuclear waste.
Nuclear Waste Services builds on the work delivered at the Low-Level Waste Repository (LLWR) site and the Geological Disposal Facility (GDF) programme, maintaining these key activities whilst also adding further essential services for customers in the nuclear energy, defence, industrial, medical, and research sectors. Maintaining and developing this knowledge and experience is key to securing and developing our unique nuclear waste capabilities for the UK and the rest of the world
If you join Nuclear Waste Services, you’ll be part of a team that brings together some of the most brilliant minds from around the UK, working across many specialisms – scientific, engineering, safety, operations, commercial, community engagement, and regulatory – to name a few.
We want Nuclear Waste Services to be a great place to work where people are respected, included and can perform at their best. We do this by living our Nuclear Waste Services values;
We are action orientated - We deliver for our customers, partners, and people safely & securely.
We are collaborative and inclusive - We have greater success when we work together.
We are ambitious - We are problem solvers who embrace and act upon new challenges.
We act with integrity - We are trusted to build a safe, secure and sustainable future
What's in it for you?
- On appointment to NWS you will receive 25.5 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and you can accrue up to 13 extra days leave
- Rewarding performance (annual bonus scheme)
- We offer a generous pension scheme through CNNP
- learning and development support
- payment of relevant annual professional subscriptions
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Financial advice assistance
- Flexible working
- Extended family-friendly policies
- Cycle to work scheme
- We welcome flexible and agile working practices
- Flexible working requests can be submitted from day 1 of employment
Please note: all of our roles will require the successful applicant to achieve BPSS Security Clearance. Some of our roles may require a higher level of clearance to be achieved. If this is required, this will be detailed in the Job Requirements section. If the role requires higher level of National Security Vetting, applicants must typically have 5 or 10 years continuous residency. Factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the level of clearance you’re able to achieve. The Security Clearance process will be explained by your recruiter but if you do have any questions about this process, please reach out to a member of the Talent Acquisition Team at nws.recruitment@nuclearwasteservices.uk or see National security vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK
Equal Opportunities
We value the unique differences that each of our colleagues bring to work every day and are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels respected, included and able to perform at their best. At Nuclear Waste Service we are committed to creating a workplace that is diverse and inclusive. We value the diversity of our people and actively seek to have a workforce that represents the rich diversity of the communities we support. Currently we are underrepresented in some areas, and would particularly welcome applicants from Women, Black, Asian and Ethnic Minorities, LGBTQ+ and candidates who have a disability.
In promoting equal opportunities, Nuclear Waste Service welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We select people according to their abilities and our needs. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy.
Please note: Nuclear Waste Services reserves the right to close the vacancy early.
If you have any queries or would like to discuss this role, please email nws.recruitment@nuclearwasteservices.uk