Student placements and work experience
We are passionate about inspiring young people and students to pursue a career in fusion energy. We offer summer placements, year 10+ work experience and a summer school!
Undergraduate and masters placements
UKAEA hosts a variety of placements each year for undergraduates and integrated Master’s students at UK universities, across various disciplines in the organisation:
- Summer placements (8-12 weeks)
- Industrial placements (6-12 months)
These placements provide students with the opportunity to build on their knowledge and provides them with exposure to the Fusion industry, as well as gaining invaluable experience in the workplace. Placements are a fantastic pipeline for the student to join UKAEA upon degree completion, either through the Graduate Scheme or as a direct entry.
What is the recruitment process?
Below is an overview of the process and timelines when applying for either a summer or industrial placement at UKAEA.
When applying for a summer or industrial placement opportunity, please be aware that you must meet the below criteria to be eligible:
- Be in full time education at a UK university and returning to university following the placement.
- Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement.
- Be able to work the full-time hours of 37.5 per week.
- For an industrial placement, you must be required or have requested to take a placement year.
- If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact earlycareerstalent@ukaea.uk.
For further information on Master’s and PhD placements, which are generally set up in collaboration with university courses with which we have special partner arrangements, please refer to the Postgraduate Opportunities page: Postgraduate opportunities | UKAEA Careers.
Typical opportunities
South East Physics Network (SEPN) offers placements to those working in a physics discipline. The recruitment process is driven via the collaborating universities and will be advertised locally.
EUROfusion offers placements that are generally arranged directly with universities.
Occasionally, there are opportunities funded through collaborations between UKAEA and external organisations and institutions, who will directly advertise them.
Work experience 2026
Do you, or someone you know, want to experience working in science, engineering, or a science community business support role before you decide on your future career? If so, UKAEA’s summer work experience programme may be perfect for you! Students in school years 10 or 11 will be invited to apply and gain work experience with UKAEA for one of two weeks, during July and August 2026.
We will open for applications later this year. Typically, applications are accepted in November, with interviews taking place the following April.
Applications – 2025 Entry
For 2025 entry, all summer placements, year-in-industry placements, and work experience opportunities have now been filled. We are not able to accept any further applications for this year.
Faiz Rahman joins UKAEA’s graduate scheme after completing his student placement
Graduate Mechatronics Engineer
Before Faiz was a graduate, he took part in a student placement with us at UKAEA in the very department that he works in now. After graduating he chose to return to our team, already safe in the knowledge that UKAEA was where he wanted to be.
current opportunities
Browse some of our current job vacancies below.