AWE is currently recruiting for Materials and Analytical Scientists within the conventional materials science group.

Location - Reading

Salary - 23,000 - 35,000 (depending on your suitability and level of experience)

Closing Date - 10th January 2024

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:

Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)

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

Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training

Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services

A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)

Life Assurance

Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending

Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family

A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing - more information available on our careers site

Potential opportunities to travel with work for conferences and collaboration

AWE is currently recruiting for a Characterisation Technician to help support its Target Fabrication Team. The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the inspection and characterisation of micro-scale components and target assemblies. Producing inspection reports to validate the target assemblies and support R&D activities. This is an ideal opportunity for those who have a keen interest in science and engineering, as well as being interested in a role where the are fully supported to work in our Orion Laser Facility.

The role will give the successful candidate the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, working alongside highly skilled scientists and engineers operating cutting-edge equipment. This role will develop your knowledge and skills in a wide range of inspection and characterisation capabilities. Working as part of a successful team, this unique and exciting role will contribute to the delivery of targets that support the High Energy Density plasma physics experiments on laser facilities in the UK and around the world.

Key Responsibilities:

Carry out inspection routines of delicate components and completed target assemblies.

Supporting the evaluation, interpretation of inspection data.

Taking responsibility of the quality of the work you deliver.

Help develop work instructions and safe systems of work.

Undertake work in compliance with Company processes, standards, and procedures.

Support continuous improvement activities within the local area.

Maintain high levels of housekeeping within the work environment.

Assist with lab management, including Risk, COSHH Assessor, Work Safety Supervisor Duties.

Key Accountabilities:

To provide technical support and skills to ensure that the tasked assessments are performed appropriately.

To provide technical support to internal stakeholders to ensure that experimental/ technical capabilities are available to meet team delivery targets, as defined by the relevant programmes and/ or tasking.

Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security and quality and can be a great team player.

Essential:

Working experience of CMM's, Inspection equipment and techniques

Metrology / Inspection reports

Knowledge of CAD / Engineering Drawings

Micro-assembly / Handling of delicate components and assemblies

Willingness to work in cleanroom environment

Desirable:

SEM Analysis

Experience of operating OGP's / Keyence / Zygo inspection equipment

Working in laboratory or technical environment

Awareness of safe systems of work and best practice in a laboratory

Personal Attributes:

Good communication skills, verbal and written.

Ability to work with others collaboratively in a team setting

Ability to operate inspection equipment

Enthusiastic, positive, proactive, have a flexible attitude and able to take the initiative

Appreciating the need for quality

A positive attitude towards Health and Safety

Dates for interviews will be 17th, 18th, 22nd and 23rd January 2024.

Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance prior to starting in the role.