Nuclear industry

[smashing]

Hello everyone,

Just looking for some advice about the nuclear industry (as some poster in other threads have mentioned that they work in this sector). I graduated with a BSc Physics and Astrophysics degree last year and I have been wanting to work in the nuclear sector since starting my degree. Just wondering how people got into doing what they are doing and if they have any tips or advice.

Thanks all

Edited by smashing on Monday 16th May 18:58

[*Kosta*]

Get yourself on one of the Grad schemes for a generator or contractor.

I work for EDF Energy and we take on a lot of graduates. Even more so now new build is on the way.

I believe the likes of AMEC and BNS (Babcock Nuclear Services) also take on Graduates.

[smashing]

*Kosta* said:

Get yourself on one of the Grad schemes for a generator or contractor.

I work for EDF Energy and we take on a lot of graduates. Even more so now new build is on the way.

I believe the likes of AMEC and BNS (Babcock Nuclear Services) also take on Graduates.

I knew edf have one but I thought I had missed the deadline....will have to go have a look I shall also investigate the others thanks for your help!

Edited by smashing on Tuesday 17th May 00:03

[*Kosta*]

smashing said:

I knew edf have one but I thought I had missed the deadline....will have to go have a look I shall also investigate the others thanks for you help!

I'm not sure. I've never really paid attention to our graduate scheme as I came into the company (when it was British Energy) as a normal employee from another company. You could always try the direct route into a company such as EDF?

There are plenty of companies jumping on the nuclear bandwagon so there should be plenty of schemes available (even if you have to wait until next time they are advertised).

[rog007]

Regardless of the politics and posturing, nuclear is the only medium term solution to our energy needs. It's a growth industry so a bit of googling and writing letters should get you an introduction. Good luck! Just don't turn in to Homer Simpson!!

[Stu R]

Mate of mine works for EDF as a Grad, he's reasonably happy with it despite the pay being fairly low, though he gets bounced around sites quite a lot. I got the impression they have quite a sizeable graduate force and programme in place for them. Definitely worth a check

[STW2010]

Not nuclear power, but what about the Atomic Weapons Establishment [AWE]? From what I hear, it is a good place to work

[rog007]

STW2010 said:

Not nuclear power, but what about the Atomic Weapons Establishment [AWE]? From what I hear, it is a good place to work

For how much longer?


"Nuclear disarmament: we continue to work towards the total elimination of nuclear arsenals through multilateral, mutual and verifiable agreements". (FCO, 2011). Available from <http://ukunarmscontrol.fco.gov.uk/en/the-uk-disarmament/the-non-proliferation-treaty> [Accessed on 170511].

[andrew311]

What interests you? Did your degree include nuclear physics components? Where do you live and how willing/how far are you willing to relocate? I did a MEng in Nuclear Engineering, and a MSc in Decomissioning, I'm based in West Cumbria. Plenty of physics guys on our staff but very few are into reactor design anymore. Couple of guys who I went to uni with work for EDF, they reckon allot of people are getting tuition in French and shipping them over to FRance for secondments.

ETA

Didnt have a great deal of time to reply earlier and don't really like to use works computers to talk about works stuff. The way I see it you've various different options as a graduate. It really depends what area you're most interested in, instrumentation is big buissiness, maintaining and designing radiation detection equipment. You could look at companies like Canberra who supply and maintain instruments across the industry, or VT Nuclear have a dedicated instrument teams who come up with more bespoke solutions.

If you want to work on the existing stations then EDF sounds like the way to go. What was BNFL has been broken into separate site license companies now but plenty of work in decommissioning and fuel manufacture, if this is of interest have a look at Magnox North ltd and Magnox South lts websites. Also Sellafield ltd who run annual graduate intake scheme in several disaplines, there is also NNL which are the old R&D arm of BNFL who are still goverment owned and amongst other things are involved in reactor design.

There are aslo several contractors who offer staff posistions, such as AMEC. I also hear Rolls Royce are currently recruiting. The NDA offer a very good graduate scheme that involves an overseas secondment if you like the idea of sampling working abroad.

Edited by andrew311 on Tuesday 17th May 14:56

[smashing]

andrew311 said:

What interests you? Did your degree include nuclear physics components? Where do you live and how willing/how far are you willing to relocate? I did a MEng in Nuclear Engineering, and a MSc in Decomissioning, I'm based in West Cumbria. Plenty of physics guys on our staff but very few are into reactor design anymore. Couple of guys who I went to uni with work for EDF, they reckon allot of people are getting tuition in French and shipping them over to FRance for secondments.

I'm based in the east midlands but dont really care where I live but I do have my gf to consider if I moved any future away than I do now. My degree did include a little bit on nuclear physics but not a massive amount. When I have been looking around it looks like I may have to go down the MSC route. I'm interested in most things nuclear tbh as I see it as a vital step foreward and I would like to get involved! Thanks everyone for your advice

[GSP]

If your based in the east midlands then you won't go far wrong working for Rolls Royce. Their nuclear site at raynesway, derby is ever expanding.

[andrew311]

Updated my previous post with some more info for you. In my organisation as a grad with relevant degree you'd get on our scheme without a masters on 30k + other allowances such as a 40hr week with 38.5 days leave, relocation allowance, etc however West Cumbria isn't a place everyone would want to live so they need to offer favourable terms to get people in. Allot of the lads I work with are from all over but the generous leave allowance means they can get home for an extended break quite often.

Tbh the UK's nuclear skills base isn't in great shape, several areas were neglected for decades. We used to be cutting edge working on 4th and 5th generation reactor designs decades gone, now if and when the new stations are built they won't be British designed and will be lucky to be British built.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Hey

Try the Gradcracker website, plenty of companies on there with links into the nuclear industry (either power or military) and most have gradschemes, direct entries or summer/year internships. Check them out, its a good site for engineering grads to find jobs because thats all they focus on.

[Mattt]

STW2010 said:

Not nuclear power, but what about the Atomic Weapons Establishment [AWE]? From what I hear, it is a good place to work

You shouldn't hear anything

[navier_stokes]

Try Rolls-Royce, grad scheme or direct entry.

Lots of vacancies for civil nuclear at the moment, but they also have a subs sector...

[smashing]

You guys are brilliant thank you all so very much for that information it was just what I was hoping for by posting on here