FUSION Autumn 2024

Introduction to Nuclear Technology - online
19 and 20 November

We are pleased to announce that UK PONI will host its annual online training course Introduction to Nuclear Technology over two afternoons in November. The course is specifically designed for early-career professionals working in nuclear policy who may not have scientific or technical background knowledge.

This two-day afternoon course will feature expert speakers from the UK National Nuclear Laboratory, Lockheed Martin UK, Babcock and the University of Leicester. They will provide an accessible introduction to key areas such as:

• Basics of nuclear physics
• Nuclear weapons and delivery systems
• The impact of disruptive technologies on nuclear deterrence

There will be dedicated time for participants to ask any questions they may have on each topic. While this course is designed to provide a foundational understanding of nuclear technology, those with prior knowledge or experience are also welcome to join.

Interested in attending? Register by Thursday 18 November 2024.

Watch Now: UK PONI Annual Conference 2024

On 10 September 2024, UK PONI hosted its flagship Annual Conference, uniting both emerging and seasoned professionals to analyse some of the most critical issues confronting the nuclear field today.

Recognised as the premier gathering for the next generation of nuclear specialists in the UK, this year’s Annual Conference attracted over 150 participants from a variety of sectors, including academia, government, industry, think tanks, and military backgrounds. The event featured a range of panels and presentations that explored the following themes: 

• Shifting Strategies in European Nuclear Deterrence
• Safety, Security and Innovation in Civil Nuclear Energy
• Emerging Technologies and Their Impact on Deterrence and Arms Control
• Enhancing the UK’s Nuclear Skills Across Civil and Defence Sectors

This year’s keynote speakers included Josef Pitt-Rashid, Strategy and Policy Director at the Defence Nuclear Organisation, UK Ministry of Defence; Chris Heffer, Director of Nuclear Power, Infrastructure and Decommissioning at the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero; and Dr Sarah B Hiza, Vice President of Engineering and Technology at Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems.

Recordings of the keynote speeches and panel sessions are now available on the Conference Recordings website page, or on RUSI’s YouTube channel. The Conference also hosted the Rear Admiral John Gower Poster Competition, showcasing the research of nine early-career professionals in an academic poster format.

If you are considering submitting a research abstract for next year's Annual Conference, we encourage you to follow our social media channels for updates! The call for submissions will be issued in the spring of 2025.

Look out for the publication of short written pieces from speakers at the 2024 Annual Conference. If you missed this year’s event, you can still catch up on the insights shared, as panellists will be publishing their research in written format on Nuclear Reactions.

For updates on the publications, make sure to follow us on social media and check our site regularly.

Unstable, Uncertain, Unaware – the UK, Nuclear Instability and the Risk of Miscalculation
Nuclear Reactions
Read here

The Future of the North Korean UN Sanctions Regime with Dr Aaron Arnold
The Arms Control Poseur Podcast by William Alberque, Season 3 Ep. 1
Listen here

De-Siloing Existential Threats: Tracking the Interconnections Between Global Dangers
British American Security Information Council
Read here

Towards a European Nuclear Deterrent
Héloïse Fayet, Andrew Futter and Ulrich Kühn
Read here

Why Russia is Changing its Nuclear Doctrine Now
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Read here

Quieting the Nuclear Rattle: Responding to Russia’s Tactical Nuclear Weapons Exercises
European Leadership Network
Read here

Finding a New Balance Between Arms Control and Deterrence
The Polish Institute of International Affairs
Watch here

Spotlight: Women and Nuclear Issues

Woman in Nuclear Global Conference
Women in Nuclear
When: 14–18 July 2025, London
Registrations will open in early 2025
Learn more

Gender and Disarmament Resource Pack
United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research
Learn more

Opportunities, Jobs and Internships

Call for Applications: Nuclear Energy Futures Center for Doctoral Training Research Projects (Various)
Imperial College London
Applications are on a rolling basis
Learn more

Call for Synopses: International Conference on Stakeholder Engagement for Nuclear Power Programmes
International Atomic Energy Agency
Deadline for submissions is 2 December 2024
Learn more

Political Affairs Intern
United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
Closing date is 11 October 2024
Read more and apply here

Nuclear Threat Initiative Internship (Spring Cohort)
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Closing date is 15 October 2024
Read more and apply here

NATO Young Professionals Programme
NATO
Closing date is 27 October 2024
Read more and apply here

PhD Student Position (Recycled Nuclear Fuel Manufacturing)
Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg University, Lund University, KTH (Royal Institute of Technology) and Uppsala University
Closing date is 30 November 2024
Read more and apply here

Systems Engineering Graduate Programme
Babcock International
Closing date is 17 December 2024
Read more and apply here

Nuclear Graduates Programme (Nuclear Engineering)
Energus
Closing date is 14 January 2025
Read more and apply here

Defense/Policy Analyst
RAND Corporation
Applications are on a rolling basis
Read more and apply here

Development Officer
Nuclear Threat Initiative
Applications are on a rolling basis
Read more and apply here

Programme Officer (Nuclear Materials Security)
Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI)
Applications are on a rolling basis
Read more and apply here

Submit opportunities

Engage and help bridge the gap between policy and technical expertise to ensure a well-rounded exchange of knowledge within the nuclear community.  We invite you to share any interesting positions, courses, webinars or other relevant opportunities with us via email at ukponi@rusi.org.