Meet some of the pioneering women shaping the future of nuclear science
We are lucky to have an abundance of truly inspirational STEM women at AWE, who are both pioneers in their field and leading teams to deliver cutting edge science.
Here we meet three amazing female scientists in a quickfire interview, asking them to share their experiences of working at AWE, and why being a woman in the company hasn’t held them back.
Gemma, Senior Science Manager
What do you do?
I’m Deputy Group Leader for Radiation Protection & Dosimetry. I’m lucky enough to work with a group of people advising AWE and external parties on the safe and compliant use of ionising radiations, and our teams support nuclear counter terrorism activities. One aspect of my role has involved overseeing project management of external contracts, including the police and MDP. This involves emergency response scenarios where the team are on call 24/7 using their expertise to keep people safe.
What’s the best thing about your job?
No two days are the same! I’m proud to lead a passionate team of experts, who’s scientific knowledge is so crucial to keeping the country safe and our sites operational. I also love to see others grow and develop; to be able to mentor others and support them in their careers is something I find incredibly rewarding.
How has AWE supported you in progressing your career?
AWE fosters an incredibly supportive environment; I’ve been able to learn a lot from those around me and have had some amazing mentors at AWE who have inspired me. I’ve always felt in a safe environment where I’ve been able to challenge processes, push different ideas forward and try to make improvements for the teams I’ve work in.
Jodie, Senior Scientist, Nuclear Threat Reduction
What do you do?
I lead a large team and volunteer emergency responders from across AWE, in support of the UK’s response to radiological and nuclear (RN) terrorism, as well as emergencies involving UK nuclear weapons (in the extremely unlikely event they should occur). My team use their unique scientific expertise to support the police, military and central government in investigating and dealing with suspected RN terrorism, through training, exercises and support to real investigations and incidents.
What’s the best thing about your job?
My career highlight at AWE was working at the 2012 Olympics, leading a team of expert scientists to provide live support in case of a nuclear terrorist attack. We provided strategic advice to government, set up specialist radiation detection equipment and provided real-time, 24/7 reach-back support to keep the public safe.
How has AWE supported you in progressing your career?
I started on the graduate scheme, which was excellent for setting me up with all the tools for starting work in such a large and complex business. The company supports membership of technical institutions and has paid for my Institute of Physics membership alongside attendance at numerous courses and conferences. I’ve also been lucky enough to have an MSc funded, which I undertook part time on day release.
Megan, Radiation Protection Adviser
What do you do?
I provide advice to our military customers on how to comply with legislation that relates to ionising radiation. Some of my work is desk based – preparing and reviewing mandatory documentation, but a lot of my time is spent developing and delivering training courses for military specialists. This includes teaching them how to use radiation monitoring equipment in support of their unique role, enabling them to protect themselves and ultimately, us.
What’s the best thing about your job?
With much of my time taken up with training UK military specialists, it’s great to have the opportunity to deploy with them and provide support during overseas exercises, participating with other NATO countries. Because I get to work with specialists at various stages in their career, it’s great to see the individuals progressing. Often, when they first encounter radiation they can be quite scared about the unknown and reticent about getting involved. So, it’s very rewarding to have the opportunity to see them grow in confidence in their understanding of how to detect radioactive materials and how to protect themselves.
How has AWE supported you in progressing your career?
I’ve only worked for AWE since April 2024, but already I can see that being part of a much larger organisation will provide lots of opportunity to broaden my experiences and opportunities to learn. The ability to network with other radiation protection professionals is essential to career development.
If you feel inspired by the career stories of these women and want to work in ground-breaking science that makes a real difference to the security of the UK, why not come and join us! View our latest vacancies and apply for your next role here.
