Impact and Engagement Industrial Placement

Impact and Engagement Industrial Placement

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is one of the world’s leading laser facilities providing scientists from the UK, Europe and around the world with an unparalleled range of state-of-the-art laser technology to carry out a broad range of pioneering experiments in physics, chemistry and biology. Our work impacts on the biggest challenges facing humanity – access to clean energy, health and wellbeing, the preservation of the environment which we all share and sustainable food production. We train people in advanced skills, drive economic innovation and encourage excellence in all that we do. We are currently on the path the building the world’s most powerful laser, Vulcan 20-20 (20 Petawatts, 20 Kilojoules).

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’ll become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You’ll be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Graduate Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

We are looking to fill an Impact and Engagement placement position to play a full role in promoting Central Laser Facility science to a range of audiences. You will join a departmental team that plays a major role within STFC, promoting science through a range of channels including websites, social media, video/audio/graphics, specialist and national media, events, exhibitions and education activities.

A passion for science and technology, an enjoyment of writing, a willingness to learn new things and the ability to explain sometimes complex subject matter in an engaging and understandable way to the general public is key for this role. This placement will allow you to develop your communication skills, both through written and other formats, by promoting our science to a wide range of audiences. You must be able to work well both individually and as part of a team and be interested in a wide range of scientific areas and how science impacts on society. You might be a science student wanting to switch into science communication or you might be a journalism student seeking to specialise in science.

Your responsibilities will generally include:

• Researching and presenting our science through a range of written, verbal and visual channels
• Support website and social media content creation and development
• Developing case studies of staff and industrial work
• Working with scientists and engineers to help deliver events
• Supporting other communication team activities
• Photography, videography and graphic design of promotional material

The above responsibilities will be conducted with the support and guidance of your manager. The placement will also include opportunities to develop your own communications projects, based around CLF science themes, and develop new skills which may be via guidance, training, and the attendance at conferences.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), 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 2026 (S)
• GCSE English or equivalent (S)
• Keen interest in science and science communication (S&I)
• Excellent writing, presentation and organisational skills (S&I)
• Demonstrate good team working capabilities (S&I)
• The willingness to learn new skills, both technical and non-technical (I)
• Open minded and flexible in relation to the type of work assigned to them (I)

Desirable:

• A-levels or equivalent in Science and English (S)
• Experience in graphic design, social media or video/audio production (S&I)
• Experience in writing for publication (S&I)
• Experience in STEM outreach to a non-scientific audience (S&I)

Employee Benefits:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)
• Flexible working hours
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking
• Excellent learning and development opportunities
• Cycle to work scheme

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.

Application Guidance

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

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.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!

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 applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.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.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button. Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.