A nuclear cycle tour of the UK

The employment possibilities of United Kingdom physicists are likely to be dictated more by market forces than scientific values it is argued, due to a contracting job market and lower investment in research generally. The author examines the likely future role of physicists in various parts of the nuclear industry such as British Nuclear Fuels, Nuclear Electric and Scottish Nuclear, Nirex and AEA Technology. Political and economic changes expected or planned are outlined. Overall a contraction in the requirement for nuclear industry physicists is expected. (UK)