Assistant Scientist (Reactor Chemistry)

Job Title:                     Assistant Scientist Reactor Chemistry

Location:                     Plymouth, Devon

Compensation:           £28,300 - £35,400 Depending on Experience + Benefits

Role Type:                   Full time / Permanent

Role ID:                        SF76525

Help protect a critical national capability through science and innovation

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as an Assistant Scientist Reactor Chemistry at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As an Assistant Scientist Reactor Chemistry, you’ll have a unique opportunity to build a career in science within one of the UK's most complex and highly regulated environments. Working as part of the Reactor Chemistry team, you'll support activities that are essential to the safe operation, maintenance and long-term sustainability of the UK's nuclear-powered submarine fleet. Combining laboratory science, technical analysis and operational support, this role offers the chance to develop specialist expertise while contributing directly to national defence and nuclear safety.

Day-to-day, you’ll provide scientific and technical support across reactor chemistry monitoring, surveillance and compliance activities. You'll work alongside experienced specialists, helping to maintain laboratory standards, manage technical records and support chemical and radioactive material control activities that are critical to safe and effective operations.

• Supporting reactor chemistry monitoring, surveillance and analytical activities.


• Maintaining accurate technical records, laboratory data and supporting documentation.


• Assisting with the control, storage and inventory management of chemicals and controlled materials.


• Following laboratory procedures and compliance requirements to maintain safety, quality and regulatory standards.


• Contributing to the maintenance of laboratory standards and the long-term development of reactor chemistry capability.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

Essential experience of the Assistant Scientist Reactor Chemistry

• Understanding of scientific or technical principles relevant to chemistry, analytical science or a related discipline.


• Experience supporting monitoring, surveillance or analysis activities within a laboratory environment.


• Ability to maintain accurate technical records, data and documentation.


• Experience following established procedures and compliance requirements.


• Strong communication, teamwork and attention to detail, with a commitment to maintaining high safety and quality standards.

Qualifications for the Assistant Scientist Reactor Chemistry

Essential:

• GCSE (or equivalent) Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above.


• Level 3 qualification in a scientific discipline, or equivalent relevant experience.

Desirable:

• Further qualifications or training in Chemistry, Analytical Science, Nuclear Science or a related technical discipline.


• Experience working within a dockyard, scientific, engineering or nuclear environment.


• Full UK driving licence.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be a sole UK National who is able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What we offer

• Generous holiday allowance


• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance


• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+


• Employee share scheme


• Employee shopping savings portal


• Payment of Professional Fees


• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave


• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. There is an annual Window to request this benefit. ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity


• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock

We’re Babcock — a global FTSE 100 organisation with over 29,000 people working together to make a difference.

Here, you’ll be part of something bigger. From initial design to final decommissioning, your work will contribute to products and services that are essential to national security and public infrastructure. Together, we’re building a future that lasts — not just through the impact we make, but through meaningful careers that respect your work-life balance.

We call that lifetime engineering.

Join us and see how far we can go, together.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [email protected] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

Closing date: 04/11/2026

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