Chemical Engineering - Nuclear Graduates 2027

There has never been a more exciting time to join the nuclear sector. From energy generation to waste management, transport through to decommissioning, the Nuclear Graduates programme provides you with the opportunity to contribute to some of the biggest challenges facing our society.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority has brought together leading businesses and organisations to create the award winning & professionally accredited Nuclear Graduates programme.

We are excited to announce that the sponsoring companies for the 2027 cohort are: Rolls-Royce, the Office for Nuclear Regulation, and Great British Energy - Nuclear.

Whether your passion lies within science, engineering or business, Nuclear Graduates will ensure that over two years you will gain an invaluable insight into the breadth of the UK’s nuclear sector, giving you the opportunity to contribute to innovative designs, systems, products, and services.

As a Nuclear Graduate, you will have the opportunity to see the nuclear sector from different perspectives, learning from leading experts on projects that have real impact. You will also receive a programme of professional development to enhance your skills and expertise, whilst also demonstrating a commitment to understanding the communities in which the nuclear sector works.

As a Chemical Engineering Nuclear Graduate, you will develop and apply your understanding of chemical engineering into design and operation of chemical process plants.

You can expect to gain experience in:

Undertaking process design and analysis for chemical plants and processes, including process design development, application of simple and complex analytical methods.
Application of chemical process safety tools and techniques
Support to troubleshooting of chemical process operation.
You will develop and apply practical knowledge in chemical engineering to deliver solutions that fulfil organisations requirements and:

Developing outlines, concepts, schemes and detailed process designs to meet facility, product manufacturing and/or operational requirements.
Assess process designs by developing and testing process simulation models (including mass-energy balances, flow-sheeting and advanced process modelling).
Collaborating with process chemists, controls engineers and operations engineers to ensure process designs are optimised for production/operations.
Supporting operational teams in process troubleshooting and optimisation, defect rectification, and risk assessment.
Chemical engineering graduates are expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 at Bachelor’s level in one of the following degrees:

Chemical Engineering
Graduates who would fit well on our programme also have the following attributes:

Safety-focussed mindset.
Open minded and inquisitive attitude
Diligence, attention to detail and strong technical rigour.

Throughout your two-year journey on the Nuclear Graduates programme you will be employed by Energus whilst being supported by an industry leading sponsoring organisation.

At the end of your two-year programme, you will be supported in securing a role with your sponsoring organisation or within the wider nuclear sector.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject.
Candidates need to have the right to work for the duration of the 2 year programme. Any offers will be conditional upon satisfactory right to work checks
Successful completion of security clearance checks
Applicants must be willing and able to travel and relocate. Energus head office is based in Workington, Cumbria, but role locations will vary dependent on sponsor location.

Start date: September 2027

Recruitment stages

The recruitment and selection process consists of the following stages:

Online application form - please complete all required sections of the application to ensure this is submitted successfully.
Psychometric assessment - called Neurosight, this will be sent via email.
Online interview - a 30 minute video interview with representatives from one of the sponsoring organisations.
Assessment centre – these will be delivered face to face and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme.
Offer - following our assessment centres, we aim to issue outcomes within two weeks. Successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as a Nuclear Graduate, working with our dedicated Energus People & Skills team to complete security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2027.
Onboarding - we welcome all our graduates ahead of the start date, through social media groups and welcome sessions, ensuring you are prepared, and any support required is in place, providing you with the best start to your exciting future as a Nuclear Graduate.
Face-to-face assessment centres will take place in early 2027. If you are invited to an assessment centre and are unable to attend, unfortunately you may be unable to complete the selection process.

We encourage you to regularly check emails (including any junk mail/spam folders) throughout the selection process, all correspondence including selection invitation will be sent via email.

Closing Date: 12:00 (noon) Friday 6th November 2026

Any applications received after this date will not be considered. We reserve the right to close a role early should we receive sufficient applications. We encourage that you apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment. Please note only one Nuclear Graduates application is required, please do not submit multiple applications.