UK Research and Innovation
Micro Target Materials Science Industrial Placement
Job Location
Didcot, United Kingdom
Job Description
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: 20th October 2024
Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (Virtual)
Start date: September 2025
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
The Target Fabrication in the Central Laser Facility are responsible for providing complex objects for use in high-power laser experiments. These objects are at the focal point of high-intensity laser interactions and are made into complex geometries from novel materials. Target requirements are dependent on experimental requirements and vary broadly from one experimental campaign to the next: the experiments topics span plasma physics and particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, and industrial applications opportunities.
In order to create extreme environments, the laser is focused to an interaction point comparable to the width of a human hair, the targets that are required have features of the same magnitude. On this scale manufacture and quality control is extremely challenging. Target Fabrication requires a wide capability of physical and chemical processes, together with advanced characterisation techniques to deliver targets that meet the experiment's requirements.
Brief overview 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
To stay at the cutting edge of research the targets that the group supplies are constantly developing. The materials used for microtargets are key to the nature and quality of data produced. High precision is required in the manufacture as even small changes to the dimensional uniformity or chemical composition can have meaningful effects on the data. Research into novel materials and processes is one on the key deliverables of the group and the student will have the ability to contribute to the production of real-world targets that are used on experiments both in the CLF but also around the world.
This placement will focus on research into novel materials for below solid density microtargets. This can range from liquid targets to low density polymeric foam-type targets and low dimensional nanowire arrays. The successful applicant will be responsible for investigating the effects of changing and modifying target materials, for example adding deuteration to materials, and introducing halogen heteroatoms.
Working in cleanroom environments the student will also provide general support for materials manufacture for day-to-day operations in the Target Fabrication group.
Responsibilities will include:
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Key -S hortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
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 of applications 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 visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://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 at www.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
Location: Didcot, GB
Posted Date: 9/19/2024
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: 20th October 2024
Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (Virtual)
Start date: September 2025
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
The Target Fabrication in the Central Laser Facility are responsible for providing complex objects for use in high-power laser experiments. These objects are at the focal point of high-intensity laser interactions and are made into complex geometries from novel materials. Target requirements are dependent on experimental requirements and vary broadly from one experimental campaign to the next: the experiments topics span plasma physics and particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, and industrial applications opportunities.
In order to create extreme environments, the laser is focused to an interaction point comparable to the width of a human hair, the targets that are required have features of the same magnitude. On this scale manufacture and quality control is extremely challenging. Target Fabrication requires a wide capability of physical and chemical processes, together with advanced characterisation techniques to deliver targets that meet the experiment's requirements.
Brief overview 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
To stay at the cutting edge of research the targets that the group supplies are constantly developing. The materials used for microtargets are key to the nature and quality of data produced. High precision is required in the manufacture as even small changes to the dimensional uniformity or chemical composition can have meaningful effects on the data. Research into novel materials and processes is one on the key deliverables of the group and the student will have the ability to contribute to the production of real-world targets that are used on experiments both in the CLF but also around the world.
This placement will focus on research into novel materials for below solid density microtargets. This can range from liquid targets to low density polymeric foam-type targets and low dimensional nanowire arrays. The successful applicant will be responsible for investigating the effects of changing and modifying target materials, for example adding deuteration to materials, and introducing halogen heteroatoms.
Working in cleanroom environments the student will also provide general support for materials manufacture for day-to-day operations in the Target Fabrication group.
Responsibilities will include:
- Investigation of nanoparticle doping of low-density foams
- Produce low-dimensional materials via thin film production techniques
- Characterisation of the elemental makeup of produced materials
- Produce reports on research outcomes
- Characterisation of targets using a range of equipment such as X-RAY CT and SEM
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Key -S hortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
- Currently be enrolled on an undergraduate degree course (S)
- Be required or have requested to take a placement year (S)
- Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement
- Subject of degree to be related to materials science or chemistry (S&I)
- Good knowledge on the basics of materials science, A-level Chemistry or Physics (or equivalent) minimum (S&I)
- Some experience (including undergraduate) of working in a laboratory environment (I)
- Some knowledge of processes relating to the manufacture of components at the micro-scale (I)
- Familiarity with Windows operating system (I)
- The ability to work individually on a project, plan effectively and write reports (S&I)
- Good understanding of the terms repeatability, accuracy, and tolerance in an engineering context (I)
- Working understanding of electron microscopes and related techniques (I)
- Basic knowledge of the type of experiment that could take place with a high-power laser, knowledge relevant to the Central Laser Facility and its purpose (I)
- Proven examples of working in a team to complete a technical or scientific project (S&I)
- Has presented project work to their academic supervisors or peers (S&I)
- Can identify hazards and work safely in a challenging environment (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 of applications 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 visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://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 at www.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)
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
- External Closing Date: Oct 20, 2024
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 23,328
- Hours: Full-time / Part-time
Location: Didcot, GB
Posted Date: 9/19/2024
Contact Information
| Contact | Human Resources UK Research and Innovation |
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