Material and Chemical Modelling Scientist

What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent - Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
The Modelling Team in Materials and Analytical Science (MAS) at AWE is looking for Scientists at various stages of their careers across Materials, Mathematical and Chemical Modelling disciplines to support research and development within a wide range of technically challenging projects.
Material and Chemical Modelling Scientists
Location : Reading (Opportunities for hybrid working in some roles)
Salary:
Junior Modelling Scientist (recent graduates): £33,770 - £37,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)
Experienced Modelling Scientist (PhD or graduates with post-grad experience): £38,000 - £48,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)
Closing Date: 20th March 2024
As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:

• Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
• Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
• Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
• A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
• Life Assurance
• Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
• Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
• A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

For our important mission to support current and future nuclear deterrent, security, and threat reduction programmes, we have new opportunities available in the Materials Modelling discipline: The Materials Modelling team develop materials models and provide a predictive capability for materials properties, whilst applying new methodologies for new materials selection. Furthermore, the role involves finding modelling solutions to difficult real-world testing problems, coordinating with external technical partners on cutting-edge research projects and supporting the System modelling and simulation capabilities for AWE’s Programmes.
We are interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate knowledge or experience in several of the following areas:

• A degree in Chemistry, Computer Science, or other numerate discipline
• Experience in constructing material models of representative systems with particular focus on molecular reaction chemistry
• Knowledge of Materials Science and/or polymer Science
• Experience with a range of atomistic and molecular modelling techniques including (but not limited to) Quantum Chemistry, Density Functional Theory (DFT), Molecular Mechanics and Dynamics (MM/MD), Monte Carlo (MC), Multiscale and Mesoscale modelling
• Experience using computational chemistry codes/software packages such as but not limited to Gaussian, NWChem, ONETEP, LAMMPS, VASP, and BIOVIA Materials Studio
• Demonstrable understanding in areas related to molecular modelling such as quantum chemistry, statistical mechanics and Chemical reaction kinetics
• Familiarity with High Performance Computing (HPC) architectures and the Unix/Linux environment.
• Programming and/or scripting experience in Python/C++/Shell/MATLAB
• Knowledge of good software development practices including the use of tools to support this purpose such as GitLab
• Able to work independently and unsupervised, as well as within a team to achieve common goals
• Flexible, self-motivated and the ability to handle multiple tasks
• Able to provide technical input within own field of expertise that can influence project, team or end user
• Strong communication skills verbal and written

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.
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.