Nuclear technician

As a nuclear technician, you could:

• install and test new equipment and control systems
•  monitor radiation levels at power plants
•  find and fix faults
•  run regular inspections and safety checks
•  work with engineers to produce technical reports for managers
•  remove equipment from power stations that have shut down

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a nuclear technician to be a green job, you could:

• install more energy efficient equipment in power plants
•  work to reduce levels of waste from reactors
•  improve ways to clean up the sites of decommissioned power stations

Find out more about green careers

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of physics
• knowledge of public safety and security 
• observation and recording skills
• to be flexible and open to change
• analytical thinking skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

You'll usually need a driving licence to get to work outside of public transport hours.

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship

With experience, you could become a:

• maintenance shift supervisor
•  radiation safety adviser
•  nuclear engineer

You could also use your skills to work in other engineering or power industries.

Alternatively, you might move into nuclear medicine, working with radiological instruments, for instance in hospitals, maintaining radiotherapy and medical imaging equipment.