What is NATS? NATS is the UK's leading Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP). Every year we handle 2.6 million flights and keep 250 million passengers safe whilst in UK airspace. We provide air traffic management (ATM) services to 15 airports in the UK as well as providing these services around the world spanning Europe, Middle East, Asia and North America. We're shaping the future of ATM through our focus on 'advancing aviation and keeping the skies safe' and believe that the size and diversity of our business makes us an exciting choice for undergraduates considering their future careers. What will the Research & Development Industrial Placement involve? This 1-year programme will be based at our Head Office in Whiteley (Hampshire) however we have adopted 'agile working' which will enable you, where possible, to have the opportunity and flexibility to work in our modern office facilities as well as at home. You'll be working as part of the Research and Development (R&D) team which helps keep up-to-date our understanding of the dynamically evolving trends in both the air traffic market and related technologies, whilst also providing focus for R&D activities to support delivery of our strategy. Great ideas can come from anywhere, so the team explores technology trends in many different industries that may have future applications at NATS. You'll get exposure to both academia and research technology organisations with whom we collaborate, and you could help change what we do and how we do it in the future. There will be opportunities to get involved in research into artificial intelligence, sustainability, digital twins, or future support for new airspace users. This will involve looking at potential new tools and concepts that will support our future operations. The outcome of this work will be requirements that will lead to further development within our operations or with our airport customers. You will learn how to develop concepts from early feasibility studies to higher maturity requirements and learn how research happens in NATS. The skills that you could develop over the placement include: • Research Skills • Concept Development • Data Analysis (Python or R) • Verbal and Written Communication • Project Management Examples of our projects include: CICONIA - a Single European Sky ATM Research (SESAR) industrial project aimed at developing solutions to mitigate the climate impact of aviation through the reduction of contrails. Bluebird - exploring the role that artificial intelligence (AI) could play in Air Traffic Management (ATM). CAELUS - trialling how an uncrewed traffic management system could enable automated drone flights for medical deliveries. For more information on our current R&D activities, please visit: https://www.nats.aero/about-us/research/ Why choose NATS? You'll be working at the heart of our organisation, alongside other graduates, undergraduate students and professionals. You'll gain valuable insight into our business and make a tangible contribution to our success. Your placement experience will be unique to you so you can build on knowledge you have gained at university. We are committed to your personal and professional development and will help you achieve your goals. What are we looking for? We're looking for driven, proactive and committed individuals who will embrace the challenging targets that we've set ourselves. You'll also need to pass NATS pre-employment security clearance checks.What's in it for you? Competitive salary - £21,300 per annum 28 days of holiday entitlement plus Bank Holidays Market-leading defined contribution pension scheme Opportunity to study for a fully-funded professional qualification (where applicable) For more information on the benefits we offer, please visit: https://www.nats.aero/careers/early-careers/ Please note that NATS reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. If you are interested, please submit your application as soon as possible. Diversity and Inclusion at NATS We celebrate the diversity of our colleagues. We thrive because we are all brilliantly different yet united in our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe. For more information on our commitment to diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.nats.aero/careers/why-nats/ If you share our passion to advance aviation and keep the skies safe - we would like to hear from you whatever your age, sex, race, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, visible or invisible disability. Individuals that bring different perspectives, skills, life experiences and backgrounds help us be at the forefront of our industry. We want you to be able to perform at your best, so please email earlycareersnats.co.uk if you'd like to discuss any reasonable adjustments.