Life at NPL

NPL is a unique place to work. Our culture mixes elements of academia, industry and commerce to create a working environment all of our own.

The total team numbers around 900 and growing. You’ll find scientists and engineers from all over the world in our labs – as well as a wide range of commercial and operational specialists. Across the organisation, there’s a very collegiate, co-operative feel to the way we work.

The sense of community extends to time outside work. We have a thriving sports and social club, with activities like yoga, cricket, boardgaming, football, tennis and mindfulness. NPL even has its own wine society and a choir.

“It’s the people who work here that make NPL such an awesome place to be in. You find that everybody here is always really happy to help and support each other, and to share their knowledge, and their research, and to build something better.”

Nicola Black, Higher Research Scientist, Atomic Clocks & Sensors, Time and frequency

Meet the team

Find out first-hand from some of our diverse and talented people about their work and why they enjoy working at NPL.

Our values

Our values are the common thread that shapes the way we work with each other and our clients, how we celebrate success and how we go about achieving our mission.

Get connected We build relationships to make a difference
Be bold We are visionary, anything is possible
Give it our all We lead, imagine, inspire and excel
Nurture and respect We support each other to grow, succeed and enjoy
Keep it simple We challenge complexity and provide clarity

Inclusion and diversity

Our success relies on the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals so everyone feels valued and supported to excel in their chosen field. This value is at the core of our organisation.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we signed up to the Institute of Physics’ Project Juno in 2015 as a Juno Supporter. NPL were proud to be awarded Juno Practitioner status in 2018. NPL also joined Stonewall as a Diversity champion in 2015. In 2018, NPL became a member of the Business Disability Forum and joined the Disability Confident scheme as level 1 committed employer.

Career development

NPL is dedicated to developing knowledge of cutting-edge science and its application. Wherever you work here, there is an incredible amount to learn on the job and from the people around you.

Our university and industrial partnerships add another dimension to the learning opportunities. For researchers, there is a strong focus on publishing papers and participating actively in conferences and global networks.

To grow and develop our team’s capabilities, we also offer formal training and development activities. And we support working towards chartered status with institutions, such as the Institute of Physics (IOP), IET and IMechE. We also provide upskilling in quantum science for engineers who join us.

In terms of career paths and progression, NPL offers many opportunities. We regularly start new projects and partnerships, providing plenty of scope to move on to new roles within your team or the wider NPL.

Rewards and benefits

We offer competitive rewards packages and put a big emphasis on wellbeing and work-life balance.

Flexible working
(subject to business requirements)
Pension scheme
27 days annual leave
Life assurance 3x annual basic salary
Subsidised workplace nursery*
Employee assistance programme
Interest free loans
(Up to £5k for season ticket loans, house purchase deposit and rental deposit)
Bike4Work scheme
Recognition awards
Civil Service Sports and Leisure discounts

*only in Teddington.