Science and Engineering Graduate 2024

newcleo is a clean and safe nuclear technology company. Privately funded and headquartered in London, UK, newcleo was launched in 2021 to be a disruptor in the field of nuclear energy. Its mission is to generate safe, clean, economic and inexhaustible energy for the world, through a radically innovative combination of existing, accessible technologies.

With visionary co-founders, newcleo capitalises on thirty years of R&D activity in metal-cooled fast reactors and liquid-lead cooling systems, and our senior management and advisory team can boast hundreds of years in cumulative hands-on experience.

Want to know more about our pioneering Gen IV nuclear technology? Read more about what we do here.

The role

This is an exciting chance to join a research-focused, innovative, and truly international Science and Engineering team, where you can create your own development plan supported by your mentor. The following are example of areas in which you may have the opportunity to work:

• Mixed oxide (MOX) fuel programme
• Lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) research and design
• Project development and consents
• Licensing and assurance
• Safety case development
• Supply chain management

With placements across multiple teams and projects, you will gain skills, experience, and the confidence to take on a leading role. This programme will allow real contributions to newcleo’s mission in several ways, where you may be required to manage technical projects, conduct design activities (e.g., develop CAD models or thermal hydraulic analyses), produce technical documents, assess compliance with UK requirements and engage with a range of external stakeholders.

What you’ll be doing

You will spend 18 to 24 months developing yourself within our community of energy innovators supporting our exciting projects. You will be joining newcleo at an exciting time for our team as well as the wider nuclear industry, with a real collaborative, vibrant and fast-paced environment.

This will include the opportunity to experience placements across our diverse, interesting projects in the UK, Italy, and France, working on our innovative Generation IV LFR technology and MOX fuel manufacturing capability.

Our graduate programme is designed to provide graduates with an opportunity to gain practical experience and develop their skills in a supportive and dynamic environment. The programme is focused on providing participants with exposure to a range of departments and responsibilities, with a view to preparing them well for their future professional careers and leadership opportunities within the organisation.

As a participant in the programme, you will work closely with senior professionals to contribute to newcleo’s mission. Through our projects, you may be involved in the research, analysis, design, management, strategic planning, commercial management, and implementation of our various projects, including the development of our LFR designs. You will have the opportunity to work with different teams to gain a broad understanding of our operations, culture, and values. You will work towards professional institute registration; mentored and supported by our experienced professionals.

This programme offers a unique opportunity for graduates to gain valuable experience in an exciting organisation. This is a chance for you to develop your skills and knowledge in a supportive environment, with the goal of building a long-term career within the organisation.

Engineering

You will help deliver our LFR engineering programme, including design, R&D and licensing activities, building your experience on an ambitious, fast-paced and novel nuclear development programme, gaining knowledge of fast reactor and liquid metal cooling technology, and helping to solve some complex engineering challenges in an innovative and pragmatic way that maximises the benefit from the inherent safety of newcleo’s designs.

Mox

You will have the opportunity to work as part of the newcleo Fuel Cycle Programme, 'one team' with bases in France and the UK. The Fuel Cycle team is comprised of technical experts covering the full range of fuel cycle skills including nuclear material and fuel component supply, transport packaging and logistics, MOX fuel manufacturing design and advanced reprocessing research.

What you will need

A 2:1 degree or above in the following preferred disciplines, though others will be considered:

• Engineering: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Nuclear and Chemical.
• Science: Chemistry, Physics and Materials.

In addition, we are looking for individuals with the following characteristics:

• A technical background, with a passion for the newcleo mission.
• Ability to adapt to a collaborative start-up environment, including internationally.
• Embracing equality, diversity, and inclusion in everything you do.
• A questioning and curious attitude, with ability to take on challenging technical problems.
• Flexibility to explore placement opportunities and manage own personal development.

Location: Gloucester or Manchester, with travel opportunities in the UK and overseas.

Benefits

• Structured salary increases during graduate programme.
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Flexible working opportunities.
• Potential opportunities for placements in our Turin or Lyon offices.
• Support to your development (e.g., training and professional memberships).
• Private medical insurance.
• Access to employee benefit programme (e.g., cycle to work).

Selection process

Initial application with CV, cover letter and screening questions (closes March 2024) followed by selection interview (Spring 2024) and assessment (Summer 2024).