Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary : £23,328 per annum

Hours : Full time

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Location : Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Closing date: 27th October 2024

Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed)

Start date: September 2025

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Lasers are the backbone and the workhorse of scientific and technological development worldwide. In 2023, the Central Laser Facility (CLF) was awarded a significant project to build the world's most powerful laser, the Vulcan 20-20, capable of achieving 20 petawatts. This project represents the pinnacle of high technology.

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is one of the world's leading laser centres, providing scientists mainly from the UK and continental Europe with access to an unparalleled range of state of the art laser technology. The CLF has around 180 staff and its function - user facility, international research - makes it a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. It has a welcoming and inclusive culture, and you will find that people will naturally help and support you.

Our host organisation, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe's largest research organisations and operates at a number of sites within the UK, including RAL and many more around the world. RAL is home to about 1,200 staff that work with a community of more than 10,000 scientists and engineers mainly from the research sector, which spans the scientific spectrum including energy, security, materials healthcare, life-sciences and the environment to address important challenges facing society.

STFC is an award winning employer and RAL is a superb place to work - there is pioneering work going on all around the site and the environment, facilities and conditions are excellent. RAL has a real buzz and the people working here have a profound sense of pride in what they achieve. Alongside an excellent working environment and comprehensive continued professional development STFC offer's a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas shut down, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, an exceptional career average defined benefit pension scheme, and social and sporting activities and societies. Full details can be found on STFC's careers pages.
Brief description of the scheme

STFC's incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.

STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here .

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

We are seeking a talented and dedicated physics s with a keen interest in Laser technology to join our team and contribute to this groundbreaking project. The successful student will play a critical role in the development and optimization of the high-intensity beamline, working on design evaluation, simulation, and construction of optical hardware, as well as software development for a unique laser system.

This will involve constructing optical hardware, optical design work and/or software development.

• Commissioning of state-of-the-art high power laser systems for research including optomechanical installation, data acquisition, and optimisation
• Diagnostics design and development for existing and future laser systems.
• Computational work for laser design and simulation including MATLAB and Opticstudio.
• Technical and scientific writing required to document progress and produce reports.
• Work with technical equipment such as commercial lasers, oscilloscopes, optical fibres, spectrometers, cameras.
  
  

To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:

Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:

• Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and returning to university/studies to complete your undergraduate degree following the placement (S)
• Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S)
• Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
• Able to commence employment in summer 2025 (S)
• Minimum of two years of degree course in physics, or a closely related subject, with grades corresponding to a 2:1 or higher (S)
• A-level Maths or equivalent (S)
• A-level Physics or equivalent (S)

Desirable:

• Knowledge of basic optics (S&I)
• Experimental physics laboratory course (S&I)
• Knowledge of one programming language (e.g. Visual Basic, C++, MATLAB) (S&I)
• Knowledge of laser/optical theory (S&I)
• Further Maths (S&I)
• Physics knowledge (S&I)
  
  

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number ofapplications have been received.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel.

We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visithttps://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers sitehttps://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found atwww.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce' .

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Additional Information

• Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - Central Laser Facility
• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
• External Closing Date: Oct 27, 2024
• Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 23,328
• Hours: Full-time / Part-time