NDA Group Graduate Programme 2025 - Chemical Engineering - Dounreay

Overview of the programme

Graduates are fundamental to our future. Our programme is unparalleled in supporting talented and ambitious graduates to build a first-class foundation for a rewarding career in the nuclear sector.

As a Dounreay direct entrant Graduate, during your time on the programme you will be given the unique opportunity to experience a number of placements within one of our Operating Companies (Nuclear Restoration Services - Dounreay) in NDA group, providing you the opportunity to accelerate your expertise in a given area, learning from leading experts on work that has real impact. You will also participate in a core programme of behavioural development to enhance your skills and professional expertise and network with peers across NDA group.

Under the NDA group, successful candidates will be employed by Nuclear Restoration Services - Dounreay on a two-year programme and, once you have successfully completed your personalised programme, you will be placed into a substantive role in the business depending on business requirements and your performance during the programme.

We are delivering one of the world’s most important environmental programmes. We are decommissioning sites across the UK that were built as early as the 1940s, when little thought was given to their management after they had reached the end of their operational lives. We deal with significant, complex challenges, some that are unseen anywhere else in UK industry, and need talented and curious mechanical engineering graduates to help us meet our commitments and help reduce hazards as part of our nationally important mission.

Your time as an NRS Chemical Engineering graduate will help to shape not only the future of NRS and the wider NDA group, but that of the sector as a whole, as we help you craft a solid foundation that will prepare you for more specialised roles or leadership positions within the organisation. Throughout the programme we will ensure that you enhance your problem-solving and process optimisation capabilities.

The location for this programme is Dounreay (Thurso, Caithness).

Why us?

The advantages of joining the NDA group graduate scheme as a Nuclear Restoration Services – Dounreay direct entrant graduate are wide ranging:

• Placements that provide experience across the breadth of Nuclear Restoration Services - Dounreay
• A support system which includes a dedicated mentor, a company lead and a pastoral care professional
• Membership of a professional institute
• A competitive salary of £30,000
• A programme of professional and behavioural skills development, which will be tailored to your needs
• Generous annual leave of 28 days annual leave, plus public holidays, Christmas closure and every 3rd Friday non-working

As well as:

• Attractive company pension scheme
• Company bonus scheme
• Relocation assistance
• Employee Assistance Programme and DigiCare+
• Cycle2Work Scheme
• Established employee networks including Young Generation Network, Green, Gender Balance, Neurodiversity amongst others

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a 2:2 in a relevant degree subject
• Successful completion of security clearance and medical checks
• This is an on-site role, and successful candidates will be expected to attend site
• The drive and determination to contribute to the delivery of our mission whilst embodying our group values of Respect, Openness, Collaboration, Performance, & Creativity

Recruitment Stages

The recruitment and selection process consists of the following stages:

• Online application - please complete all required sections of the application
• Online assessment - you will be invited to complete an online assessment
• Teams interview – we will arrange a Teams/video interview with subject matter experts
• Assessment centre – this will take place, in person, on Tuesday 18 February 2025 at Manchester Central Convention Complex and will involve various activities, alongside insightful information around the nuclear industry and our programme
• Dounreay Site Visit – prior to offers being made, Nuclear Restoration Services are keen to invite graduates to visit Dounreay and explore the local area in person
• Offer - we aim to issue outcomes in March 2025
• Onboarding - successful candidates will begin their exciting journey as an NRS Dounreay direct entrant NDA group graduate, working with our dedicated Early Careers team to complete onboarding and security paperwork ahead of starting the programme in September 2025. Candidates will be also invited to welcome sessions before starting, as well as our social media channels and groups, providing individuals with the best possible start to an exciting future with us

Please note that we may close the advert early depending on responses numbers so please do apply early to avoid disappointment as any applications received thereafter will not be considered.

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.

If you are invited to an assessment centre and unable to attend, unfortunately you will be unable to complete the selection process.

NDA group are members of the disability confident scheme. When requested we will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, and we guarantee to interview all candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.