UKAEA 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!

Scientists looking at screens in the MAST Upgrade control room

Undergraduate and masters placements

Every year, we at UKAEA have many projects for students, both undergraduate and masters. These placements range from a few months to a year in industry projects, and provides the opportunity to join the Graduate Scheme post-degree.

Two researchers holding a meeting at UKAEA

When do the placements open?

If you’re interested in completing a short-term summer placement with us, our applications run annually and are available. Additionally, some Year in Industry placements are also available for applications online.

Year in Industry placements which are not advertised publicly, in addition to Masters placements, are generally set up in collaboration with university courses with which we have special partner arrangements.

If you haven’t found what you are looking for please contact earlycareers@ukaea.uk.

Typical opportunities

South East Physics Network

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

EUROfusion offers placements that are generally arranged directly with universities.

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Occasionally,  there are opportunities funded through collaborations between UKAEA and external organisations and institutions, who will directly advertise them.

Work experience

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!

We are excited to announce applications for UKAEA’s Work Experience Programme 2023 will open on Monday 31st October 2022.

We’re inviting students who will be in school years 10 or 11 to come and work with us for one of two weeks; these being weeks beginning 10th July 2023 or 7th August 2023.

To apply for a place, please submit a covering letter explaining why you are interested in working at UKAEA, along with a copy of your CV, to pauline.lawrence@ukaea.uk.

Applications will close on Friday 25th November 2022. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interviews, which will take place in the week beginning 3rd April 2023. Any applications received before 31st October or after 25th November will not be accepted.  

Here is some guidance for writing a CV and cover letter.

Two staff holding a meeting at UKAEA
Faiz Rahman, UKAEA Graduate Mechatronics Engineer

Case study

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.

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