Materials and Analytical Scientist

AWE has an exciting opportunity for a Materials and Analytical Scientist, bringing their experience to AWE and to successfully playing a key role in delivering for our customers.

Materials and Analytical Scientist
Location: Reading
Salary: £33,770 - £42,000 (dependant on suitability and level of experience)
Closing Date: 13th June 2023



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:

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  Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
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  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
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  Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
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  Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
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  A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
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  Life Assurance
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  Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
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  Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
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  A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

Working within the Target Fabrication and Non-Nuclear Components (TF&NNC) Team as part of the Material and Analytical Science (MAS) Sub-function supporting delivery to plasma physics laser experiments. You will primarily be supporting our Target Fabrication capability; this includes development of new and improved porous materials and coating processes. The role also includes investigating new techniques for manufacture of very low-density materials required for laser targets.



We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates with knowledge and/or experience of working in on metal coating as well as chemistry experience.


It is desirable that candidates can demonstrate an understanding / experience in some of the following:

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  Coating using aluminium, copper, gold
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  Sol-Gel chemistry
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  Microfluidics

Additional beneficial skills/experience:

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  Working in a clean room environment
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  High internal phase emulsions
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  Aerogels and very low-density foams
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  Colloid / polymer science

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities will also include:

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  To provide technical knowledge and expertise in the field of materials and chemical science
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  To deliver assigned programmes, projects and processes, to the required scope, timescales, quality and cost
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  To plan technical projects, programmes and trials.
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  Analyse, characterise and assess samples using agreed analytical procedures and processes.
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  Identify and rectify problems in analyses and processes, and/or know when to seek assistance where needed in rectifying them.
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  Act as a representative in all relevant internal and external interactions, including the US National Laboratories.
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  Maintain and develop underpinning experimental capabilities.
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  Maintain and develop knowledge in a particular scientific or product field and share best practice.
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  Undertake work in compliance with Company processes, standards, and procedures.
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  Support continuous improvement activities within the local area.
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  Maintain high levels of housekeeping within the work environment.

All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.