Scientific Apprenticeship

Job Introduction

NNL is not like any other business, and our Apprenticeships are like no other. Our Apprentices are our future, which is why we have a dedicated apprentice programme – ‘Beginner to Winner’ – which supports our apprentices in their personal development whilst they are completing their apprenticeship.

To welcome you into the business, all our NNL apprentices join a 3 day induction programme. This will give you an understanding of the business, the programme you will follow and what we’ll expect from you during your apprenticeship. Following your induction, you’ll attend training sessions focusing on personal development at three monthly intervals. These cover a range of skills from time management to team working. We’ll learn about you together.

We even have a dedicated apprentice Advisor who is there to ensure that you are settling into your apprenticeship at NNL, both in the workplace and at College.

Discover our Scientific Apprenticeship:

As a nuclear Scientist, you will be working at the forefront of the nuclear research and development programme that makes NNL one of the world leaders in nuclear energy. Scientific technicians are needed to test and calibrate equipment as well as undertake investigations and analyse samples. You will work with hazardous substances, you will learn about health and safety procedures and safe working practices.

For your Scientific Apprenticeship you will spend four days of your week onsite with your technical team at NNL, and attend College on a day release. You will study a relevant scientific qualification to your technical team, learning things such as:

• Calibrations
• Sampling and titrations
• Conduct investigations and tests
• Assess data and write reports
• Dealing with technical data
• Develop presentation techniques

Main Responsibilities

During the Apprenticeship:

• You will be aware of health and safety regulations
• You will be improving your working relationship skills both across the company and within your project teams
• You will manage information and use computers
• You are likely to work with hazardous substances
• You will manage data and produce reports
• You will create presentations on work you have completed

The Ideal Candidate

• You'll already have a good academic background when you apply for an apprenticeship with us. You should have attained  5 GCSE's A-C (New Grading 9-4) including Maths & English.
• You will be on track to achieve or have attained A-Levels at a Pass mark minimum (one of which must be Chemistry) or a BTEC in Chemistry at a Pass grade.

We’re looking for people who can be part of our future. People who want to succeed and have the commitment and motivation to get there. People who ask questions and demand answers, who’ll be open to learning and work hard.

We’re looking for bright, enthusiastic achievers who’ll want to be part of our mission to grow the nuclear industry. Applicants must be 18 or over (or by September 2020.

About The Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials