Materials 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?
AWE has exciting opportunities for a scientist to join our Materials and Analytical Science Group, bringing their experience to AWE and to successfully play a key role delivering for our customers.
Materials Scientist
Location - Reading
Salary - £33,770 - £50,650 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)
Closing Date: 31st January 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.
  
• Potential opportunities to travel with work for conferences and collaboration.
  

As a scientist you will be responsible for the effective management of materials, ensuring that material use is closely aligned with our overarching strategy. Through the role you will ensure that the requirements for material supply and storage are addressed. You will be embedded within the relevant operational area to be involved in discussions where material is required to meet programme, material is to be receipted or disposed, and to manage the interface on storage.
Key responsibilities would include:

• Critically analyse and scientifically assess the use of materials in facilities throughout their lifecycles (e.g., making, packing and re-packing).
  
• Owning the material supply and storage strategy, taking guidance from the corporate material strategy team to ensure a joined-up strategy between the operational areas, the corporate team, and the Defence Nuclear Organisation (DNO).
  
• Liaising with the relevant materials strategist and operational areas to develop the programme of work required to address the requirements for material supply and storage over the next five years, with a view to the requirements of timeframes beyond five years.
  
• Establish relationships within the UK industry and academia and international partners.
  
• Identifying capability gaps with appropriate stakeholders.
  
• Issuing required tasks to the delivery managers and movement control leads for works to be completed to meet the programme.
  
• Developing appropriate metrics to highlight the health of the material supply and storage situation within the Production area and its value stream.
  
• Provision of scientific advice and guidance for material storage and supply requirements to the production and movement control teams as required.
  
• Provide briefings to the Head of Strategic Materials and the leadership team on progress against the programme to meet the various objectives identified within the programme. Highlighting any additional resources or support required to meet the programme.
  

We would be interested in hearing from candidates who can demonstrate knowledge or experience in some of the following:

• Degree in a STEM subject, NVQ/ONC/HNC or related qualification, or equivalent work experience.
  
• Experience within a Science or Manufacturing Environment.
  
• Strong awareness of Health & Safety Legislation and company safety, quality, and security procedures, including on-site emergency response arrangements.
  
• Awareness of relevant Licence Conditions, Environmental Permitting Regulations, and other relevant legislation.
  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  
• Knowledge and experience of Strategic Materials.
  
• Ability to provide technical leadership and direction to local teams.
  
• Strong stakeholder management skills, able to hold your own, to build relationships and to manage conflict.
  
• A drive to innovate and improve delivery and quality.
  
• Competence in the use of MS Office (Word, Excel and PowerPoint).
  

Candidates must be willing 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.