Radioactive Waste Management Graduate Programme
Programme title: Radioactive Waste Management Graduate Programme
Salary: Minimum £35,000. Salary is dependent on location, role and qualifications.
Location: Warrington, Bristol, Newbury, and other key sites
Application closing date: 16 October 2025
Programme start date: September 2026
Role ID: 67103
What will you do on the programme?
As a graduate on our Radioactive Waste Management programme, you will contribute to the safe, compliant, and sustainable handling of radioactive materials.
Your work will span the full lifecycle of radioactive waste – from initial characterisation and treatment planning to packaging, transport, and long-term disposal. You’ll help shape environmental impact assessments, contribute to case reports, and support the development of disposal strategies that meet regulatory and environmental standards.
You could be working with multidisciplinary teams supporting clients in both the Defence and Civil Nuclear sectors. This might include projects at nuclear power stations across the UK or at Rosyth, where Babcock leads the dismantling and management of radioactive waste from decommissioned nuclear submarines. You may be involved in feasibility studies for new waste treatment facilities or help clients assess and optimise disposal options, often engaging with stakeholders to develop practical mitigation strategies.
Projects will vary in scale and complexity. You might support large programmes involving multiple disciplines or contribute to smaller consultancy assignments with direct client interaction. Each placement will offer new challenges and opportunities to deepen your understanding of radioactive waste management while making a meaningful contribution to real-world outcomes.
Whatever you work on, your efforts will help protect communities, the environment, and future generations through safe and effective radioactive waste solutions.
How is the programme structured?
The Radioactive Waste Graduate Programme runs for two years and is designed to give you breadth and depth of experience.
You’ll rotate through placements every three to six months, giving you the chance to explore a variety of projects and teams in the Defence and Civil Nuclear sectors. These rotations offer opportunities to broaden your experience – and some may even take you to different locations – helping you build your professional network and deepen your understanding of how the business operates.
How do we develop and support you?
From day one, you’ll receive structured support, personalised training, and dedicated mentorship to help you excel throughout your programme and beyond.
You’ll join our Graduate Development Programme, featuring expert-led masterclasses on communication, personal branding, resilience, and wellbeing.
In addition, you’ll receive tailored technical training through in-house sessions covering key areas such as waste management, environmental protection, health physics, and radiological safety. The focus and scope of this training are customised to support your individual development needs, helping you work towards the membership requirements of a relevant professional institute.
What rewards and benefits will you get?
We want you to feel supported, valued and excited about what’s ahead. That’s why we offer a comprehensive package designed to support your development, your wellbeing and your life outside of work too.
In addition to a minimum starting salary of £35,000, you’ll benefit from:
- A minimum of 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, with agile working options subject to discussion with your manager
- Generous pension and employee share schemes
- Flexible benefits, including cycle to work scheme, discounts
- Wellbeing support, covering mental, physical, financial, and social wellbeing, with services like our Employee Assistance Programme, digital GP service, and health checks.
You’ll also have the chance to get involved in our STEM outreach activities and volunteering opportunities.
What do you need to apply?
- A science degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Environmental Science, Nuclear Science/Technology, or a closely related subject.
- Many of our graduate programmes are subject to Security Clearance and Trade Control restrictions which mean that your place of birth, nationality, citizenship, or residency you hold or have held may impact which programmes you are eligible for. For this programme, you must be able to achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) and Security Check (SC) clearance. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK.
Where will you be based?
Places on our Radioactive Waste Management programme for Autumn 2026 are available at Cavendish Nuclear.
Joining Cavendish Nuclear means getting involved in some of the most important engineering projects in the UK – and beyond. You could be involved in a wide range of complex waste management and decommissioning approaches and challenges. This might include assessing options for the treatment and disposal of waste from nuclear decommissioning projects, or contributing to environmental enhancement initiatives aimed at improving areas around client sites.
Whether you're based in Bristol, Warrington, or Newbury – or occasionally working at client sites – you'll be helping to clean up the nuclear legacy and shape a future where nuclear energy plays a vital role in protecting our nation, ensuring energy security, and meeting our net zero commitments.
While you’ll join a specific business area and location, placements at different sites across the UK are possible. Agile working is supported, but you’ll be expected to work on-site multiple times a week. We encourage flexibility and openness to relocation throughout the programme and will consider your personal circumstances when arranging placements.
Ready to apply?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the programme may close early if we receive a high volume of interest. To give yourself the best chance of being considered, we strongly recommend submitting your application and completing any required online assessments as soon as possible.
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