United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory

The UK’s lead civil national laboratory for nuclear fission, driving forward the nation’s nuclear ambitions. Our Purpose is Nuclear Science to Benefit Society.

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Small can, big impact ⚛️

When we say nuclear energy is powerful, we mean it. This single can shows how much used nuclear fuel you'd need for a lifetime of power - every device you'll charge, every meal you'll cook, keeping your lights on day and night.

That's the incredible efficiency of nuclear energy.

Thanks to @ziontree for sharing this message far and wide! 🙌

#NuclearScience #FutureEnergy #PoweringBritain

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

UKNNL welcomes the government's commitment to more than 500 new nuclear doctoral students as part of today's Nuclear Regulatory Review response.

Delivering new nuclear projects at the pace and scale the UK needs requires a deep pipeline of sovereign technical talent, and UKNNL is committed to playing its part in building it. We bring together industry expertise and academic excellence to give researchers the real-world experience and connections they need to make an impact in the workforce.

Working closely with academia is central to developing the skills and research pipeline we need. Our strategic partnership with Bangor University and their Nuclear Futures institute is a great example of this in action.

In addition to the work we've done together since 2022, we are now also a delivery partner on PANDA, Bangor's new £24 million doctoral programme, which will train up to 100 PhD students alongside partners including the universities of Bristol, Birmingham, Cambridge and Manchester.

Our CEO Julianne Antrobus said: "Close partnerships with academia are essential to delivering the recommendations of the Nuclear Regulatory Review, and UKNNL is pleased to see government investing in more nuclear PhDs. We know the value of these — our pioneering post-doctorate programme was the first of its kind in the nuclear sector when it launched, and we have welcomed dozens of talented people who will no doubt go on to take the sector forward."

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

We're delighted to have renewed our strategic partnership with @BangorUni to drive nuclear research and develop the skilled workforce the UK needs for its clean energy future.

Read more🔗https://t.co/Fi6LQfZUkC

#UKNNLTogetherWeCan

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Today the government has published its response to the Nuclear Regulatory Review, committing to implement all of the Fingleton Report's recommendations. UKNNL welcomes this news, and is ready to play its full part in making that happen.

The review sets out an ambitious and necessary vision for transforming how we deliver nuclear in the UK. The shift towards smarter, more proportionate regulation, focused on real risk and evidence-based outcomes, is exactly the kind of change our sector needs to deliver new nuclear at pace, reduce costs, and strengthen the UK's energy security.

As the government's lead civil nuclear fission laboratory, UKNNL is well-placed to support this transition. We work across the full breadth of the civil nuclear programme, from advanced reactor development and nuclear fuels research to waste management and decommissioning. We are ready to support the sector in making these reforms work, helping to demonstrate what smarter, more efficient delivery looks like in practice.

As our CEO Julianne Antrobus says: "As we build the lab of the future we are uniquely placed to work in collaboration and be an early adopter of the recommendations to help the sector scale. UKNNL is ready to work hand in hand with government, industry and regulators to deliver a smarter, more efficient and safer nuclear programme that enhances the UK's position as a global leader in this critical field."

[Department for Energy Security and Net Zero @energygovuk]

For years our nuclear regulatory system hasn't worked.

Today that changes with our plan to implement the recommendations of the @JohnFingleton1 review.

47 reforms. One lead regulator. A faster path to new nuclear projects & clean, secure power.

Patrick Vallance explains 🎥

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Are you curious about how we manage long-term storage of nuclear materials? So are our scientists, who work with temperatures as hot as lava to do just that.

This British Science Week, we’re proud to highlight the science behind safe nuclear decommissioning.

Did you know our Workington team is testing Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) technology that could transform how the UK manages plutonium? Using temperatures as hot as volcanic lava (1,300°C!) and pressures equivalent to the deepest ocean trenches (1,000 bar), this groundbreaking work feeds into the @NDAgovuk's plutonium immobilisation programme.

#BSW26 #NuclearInnovation #UKNNLTogetherWeCan #Decommissioning

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

The theme of this year’s British Science Week is curiosity. With all the different branches of science, you might ask how it all comes together?

UKNNL is proud to be part of the National Research Organisations (NRO) Group. Together, we’re connecting the dots between organisations that carry out curiosity-driven scientific research.

By bringing our unique national and international capabilities together, we’re able to act as a single point of access to UK scientific expertise and infrastructure and deliver real-world impact – That’s British science at its best.

Curious to learn more? Our Chief Science & Technology Officer and Deputy CEO Gareth Headdock explains here: https://t.co/I7zUbtac9r

#BSW26 #NuclearScience #UKScience #UKNNLTogetherWeCan

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Celebrating British Science Week with a huge congratulations to Haythem Draoui! 🎉

Haythem is a PhD researcher at @lborouniversity working on pioneering sensor technology to detect early signs of spent nuclear fuel canister failures — research that matters for the safe future of nuclear decommissioning in the UK.

He's been selected as a finalist in the Engineering category at STEM for BRITAIN 2026 and will be presenting his work at the House of Commons on 17 March.

We're incredibly proud to provide industrial supervision through the @NDAgovuk-funded PhD Bursary Scheme and support the next generation of nuclear scientists.

‘Curiosity’ is the theme of this British Science Week and Haythem is a perfect example of this in action. 💡

#BSW26 #STEMforBRITAIN #Engineering #NuclearScience #STEM #Research #PhD

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Did you know a kernel of nuclear fuel the size of a poppy seed can generate enough energy to boil eight kettles?

This British Science Week, we're exploring one of the most remarkable areas of advanced nuclear science.

🌱 Coated particle fuel is the fuel of the future. These tiny spheres of nuclear fuel will power the next generation of reactors, and the four protective layers of coating result in fuel which is efficient and inherently safe – It’s often described as the most robust nuclear fuel design to date. UKNNL's scientists are making it happen right here in the UK.

Read more: https://t.co/YbJlmh4e4R

#BSW26 #CleanEnergy #NuclearFuel

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Delighted to welcome @OfficialUoM to our Workington Laboratory, including Vice Chancellor Professor Duncan Ivison and @DaltonNuclear Director Professor Zara Hodgson.

Our partnership is developing the talent pipeline the UK nuclear sector needs for its clean energy future.

Read more on our website 👉https://t.co/GV4H1XOedx

#UKNNLTogetherWeCan

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

We're proud to celebrate four UKNNL colleagues nominated at this year's UK Nuclear Skills Awards!

Congratulations to:
- Lucy Bate – Graduate of the Year (Business & Commercial)
- Chloe McElvaney & Lucas-Jay Woodbridge-Trent – Postgraduate of the Year
- Sanjay Prajapati – Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Champion

These nominations recognise the exceptional contributions our early careers professionals make to UKNNL every day. From driving business excellence to championing inclusive workplaces, each nominee demonstrates the talent and dedication that strengthens our organisation.

We're incredibly proud of our early careers community. Their energy, fresh perspectives and commitment to growth directly support our mission to champion and nurture advanced nuclear skills—building the workforce that will power Britain's nuclear future.

Best of luck to Lucy, Chloe, Lucas and Sanjay at the awards! 🍀

#NuclearSkills #EarlyCareers #UKNNLTogetherWeCan @NSA_Nuclear

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Watch our effluent rig operator Melissa explain here why anyone can pursue an apprenticeship in nuclear

#NAW2026 #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #Apprenticeships #NuclearCareers

[Nuclear Industry Association @NIAUK]

@Apprenticeships and Skills’ National Apprenticeship Week, day 2! As Max from @NuviaUK said, “Nuclear isn’t just for mechanics and scientists”.

Whether you are a career changer like Melissa from @UKNNL who switched from nursing to rig operation or just prefer to be more hands-on, like Kieran from Sheffield @ForgemastersHQ, a nuclear apprenticeship could be perfect for you.

#nuclear #energy #industry #apprenticeships #NAW2026

[NSAN @NSA_Nuclear]

We're excited to announce the finalists in the #Graduate of the Year (Business & Commercial) Award category at the 2026 UK #NuclearSkillsAwards are Cameron Homer from @amentum_corp , Everson Dube from @morgansindall_i, and Lucy Bate from @UKNNL! A special thank you to the supporter of this category, @Energus_.

Join us on 12th March to find out who the winner will be! A limited number of Support Packages and tickets for this year's UK Nuclear Skills Awards are still available. More info here: https://t.co/kwbEPGgYTf

#nuclear #Apprentice #postgraduate #edi #collaboration #skillsfornuclear

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

We're delighted to have renewed our strategic partnership with @BangorUni to drive nuclear research and develop the skilled workforce the UK needs for its clean energy future.

Read more🔗https://t.co/Fi6LQfZUkC

#UKNNLTogetherWeCan

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

🎗️ This #WorldCancerDay, we're proud to share how the UK's nuclear expertise is opening new frontiers in cancer treatment.

Almost 3.5 million people in the UK are living with cancer. Through our pioneering work with lead-212, we're helping to develop Targeted Alpha Therapies – precision medicines that could offer hope to patients with cancers that are currently hard to treat.

What makes this approach truly remarkable? We're harvesting lead-212 from recycled nuclear fuel that has already powered homes across the country. A tiny amount – extracted from a sample equivalent to a single drop of water in an Olympic-sized swimming pool – could treat thousands of patients.

With funding from @innovateuk and industry partners, we're co-leading the transformative Project Alpha 10.6 alongside @MedDiscCat, with support from consortium partners @CyclifeAquila, @pentabind, @IksudaT, @entX_Limited and Seda Pharmaceutical Development Services

🎧 Want to learn more? Professor Jane Sosabowski from @QMBCI talked about this groundbreaking work on BBC Radio 5 Live. Listen from 1:47:56: https://t.co/dqpKk2eTX7

#NuclearMedicine #CancerResearch #Radiopharmaceuticals #UKInnovation

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

We welcome today's launch of the Advanced Nuclear Technologies Framework.

UKNNL is proud to support advanced reactor developers with our specialist facilities, technical expertise and collaborative research programmes.

The Framework recognises UKNNL's unique role in the UK's advanced nuclear future, from post-irradiation examination to fuel performance modelling.

We're ready to support the next generation of nuclear innovators.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/vde93sifB3

[Department for Energy Security and Net Zero @energygovuk]

"If you're developing advanced, small, or micro modular reactor projects, this is your invitation to submit a proposal to join our pipeline."

Our first-ever framework for advanced nuclear opens today, as part of our golden age of nuclear.

🎥 Lord Vallance explains

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

We’re delighted to share that our process for extracting radionuclides from nuclear materials, for use in precision cancer therapies, is at the heart of another groundbreaking project.

Our experts are making a difference at home and across the globe – Our purpose of nuclear science to benefit society in action.

Read more 👇

[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology @SciTechgovuk]

From nuclear material to cancer treatments ❓

A deal between @Bicycle_tx and @NDAgovuk will unlock a new way to fight some of the hardest to treat cancers.

Experts will extract lead-212 from reprocessed uranium – a process developed by @UKNNL – to make cutting-edge radiotherapeutics.

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

Did you know UKNNL has a washing machine that washes out uranium? 🧼 

Our colleagues Tahera, Howard and the pilot plant team at our Preston lab spearhead this unique capability – using nitric acid & water to wash uranium from contaminated filters. 

The result? Uranium recycled back into fuel and remaining waste safe for normal landfill. 

A great example of how we're strengthening the nuclear enterprise through our people’s practical innovation. 

Read more 👉 https://t.co/yxAJ8yXBMu

[United Kingdom National Nuclear Laboratory @UKNNL]

WATCH | @IainDarby, our Head of Strategic Research talks to @SNE_TP about his career journey and how working in nuclear can make a real difference to society. ⚛️ 

Iain's story is part of @SNE_TP's "Why Nuclear? Careers That Inspire" series, featuring leaders exploring what motivates them and how they see the future of nuclear energy – inspiring the next generation of professionals. 

Our experts are delivering for the nation to support the growth of the UK's nuclear sector. 

Watch the video below:
https://t.co/vDpXcNUKG0 

#UKNNLTogetherWeCan #WhyNuclear #NuclearCareers