2025 Post Doc Scheme Opportunities
Our 2025 Post Doc vacancies are now open for applications. The closing date for applications is the 2nd March 2025. You will find information about each of the roles, and links to apply below.
UKNNL recognises that academia and industry are very different environments, our Postdoctoral Development Scheme will smooth the transition whilst supporting you as you take your first steps towards becoming a Subject Matter Expert.
The two-year scheme will provide the opportunity to develop your technical knowledge and skills whilst providing you with an insight into UKNNL’s strategy and direction. You will receive an overview of how the company operates and delivers its projects.
Electron Microscopy Specialist
UKNNL has a world-class active electron microscope suite, including high-end TEM, FEG-TEM, FIB, PFIB and SEM instruments, supporting both national infrastructure and academic research. The UKNNL Microstructure team provides information on fuel and reactor material performance, supporting the operation of nuclear facilities.
UKNNL are looking for a post-doctoral researcher to join the Microstructure team as it expands its role in this exciting area of nuclear science.
You will support the team’s active microscope operations. This includes the preparation of active samples, characterisation of material using electron microscopes and the production of technical reports for customers. You will also provide input to new project proposals and coordinate work through our laboratories.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in physics, chemistry, materials science, minerology or equivalent with hands on experience in FIB-SEM:
- FIB lift-out techniques
- Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS)
- Image processing with standard electron microscopy software (e.g. ImageJ/FIJI)
Research Chemist
UKNNL is looking for an experimental chemist (or similar) to join the Effluents, HALES and Environmental Chemistry team based at our Central Laboratory.
You will work closely with technical leads, team members and interact with a range of internal and external customers. The role is lab based (inactive and active) and will support the provision of nuclear decommissioning and environmental clean-up services with an emphasis on nuclear effluent abatement processes.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in chemistry, radiochemistry, environmental chemistry, chemical engineering, or geochemistry ideally with a focus on nuclear applications.
You will also have a Masters or Bachelors degree in chemistry (or comparable subject).
To apply click here.
Operations and Technical Support Assistant
The Radiochemistry capability at UKNNL have unique expertise and provide the key skills required to support the UK’s future nuclear programmes, also playing an important role in several European collaborations. The Plutonium and Radioisotopes team within the Radiochemistry capability specialise in laboratory scale, medium inventory experiments in reprocessing, isotopic separation and plutonium science.
UKNNL is looking for a chemist to join the existing team to aid the growth and provide with the aim of developing into a subject matter expert. The role will require working closely with Technology Managers to deliver customer work for Sellafield Limited, Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE), European Space Agency (ESA) and other EU programmes.
In this role you will learn how to operate experiments in gloveboxes and fume hoods under highly regulated processes.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in chemistry, electrochemistry or applied chemistry.
To apply click here.
Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer – Radiometric
The Measurement and Analysis, instrumentation and in-situ analysis team (M&A-IIA) are involved in development of new technologies for radiometric applications and deployment challenges.
UKNNL are looking for an individual to join this growing team to play an important part in allowing UKNNL to fulfil future commitments and develop into a subject matter expert for future programmes of work and become a technical lead.
You will have the opportunity to work on innovation projects for radiometric instrumentation and customer work for the future, develop your knowledge of radiometric detectors and experience in radiometric systems, and help the Measurement and Analysis, instrumentation and in-situ analysis team deliver decommissioning for the Sellafield site.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in radiometric physics, nuclear instrumentation or similar and able to work with engineering, sensor and instrument suppliers.
To apply click here.
Scientist – (Measurement and Analysis)
The Measurement and Analysis team at our Preston laboratory are growing and are looking for an analytical scientist (experience in analytical chemistry, or related discipline) to support exciting programmes of work which are on the horizon.
The team have unique expertise, providing the key skills required to support the UK’s current and future nuclear programmes as well as playing an important role in international collaborations.
You will work with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, safety case specialists and plant operators and we will draw on your technical skills and knowledge to provide robust technical solutions to problems. You will work predominantly in controlled areas within UKNNL’s Preston Laboratory, reaching out into other UKNNL facilities as required.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in analytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, radiochemistry or separation chemistry.
To apply click here.
Environmental Scientist
The Environmental Science team, within the Waste Management and Decommissioning Capability, are looking for an Environmental Scientist to join them to provide technical support to this growing area. You will work closely with Technical Leads and interact with a range of internal and external customers and collaborators.
The role will provide you with the opportunity to work closely with leading experts within UKNNL and contribute to a wide range of key waste management programmes as well as wider environmental remediation activities both in the UK and internationally.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in chemistry, geochemistry or environmental science and preferably have a proven ability to work in a radiation-controlled and/or contaminated site environment.
To apply click here.
Structural Integrity Engineer
UKNNL are looking to expand our existing team of engineers who perform structural analysis work to support our clients in the civil nuclear power industry.
In this role you will be required to carry out a wide range of structural integrity assessments using commercial finite element codes. This will include Impact Assessment Analysis, Fitness for Service, Fracture Mechanics and Remnant Life Assessments to appropriate British, American or European design codes.
You will manage all aspects of technical projects, including project delivery, commercial awareness and management of project staff. In this customer facing role you will work directly with client engineers.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in impact assessment or structural integrity.
In addition, you will possess a degree in engineering, maths or physics with a strong understanding of fundamental engineering principles.
To apply click here.
Fuel Performance Scientist
UKNNL is looking for a Post Doctorate to join the established and growing Fuel Performance area to work to become a specialist in Fuel Performance. The team are responsible for conducting a range of challenging experiments and investigations on nuclear fuel, in addition to the significant involvement in a number of international collaborations and research.
UKNNL are expanding their fuel performance capability to meet the exciting challenges and opportunities presented by development of new fuel and reactor concepts in the UK and abroad, including the Advanced Modular Reactor (AMR) programme. NNL has a successful history in Fuel Performance, having developed its own code and established a robust research programme to support this critical area.
To join the UKNNL Post Doctorate programme you will have a PhD in Mathematics or Physics.
To apply click here.