Laser Scientist – EPAC Industrial Placement

Laser Scientist – EPAC Industrial Placement

EPAC, the Extreme Photonics and Applications Centre, is a newly built UK national laser facility and is one of the most powerful pulsed laser systems in the UK and globally. Our laser technology represents the cutting edge of both science, technology, engineering and manufacturing achievable in the world today. The high intensity laser interactions achieved by these systems will allow a diverse array of experiments—to both national and international university-based research groups— for real-world applications in plasma physics to investigate medical applications, particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, exotic physics, and much more. The laser is currently in the final stages of its commissioning and demonstration of high-power laser output for the very first user experiments. In this role you will learn a substantial amount of laser physics through both experimental and simulation work. The tools that a successful candidate develop over the placement year will be very useful in any scientific or technical career and a substantial plus in any application.

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.

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.

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 undergraduate with a keen interest in Optics and Laser Technology to join our team and contribute to the success of the EPAC project. The successful candidate will be involved in the development and optimization of the short pulse (30 femtosecond) petawatt laser beamline and will involve:

• Commissioning and operation of state-of-the-art high power laser systems for research including optomechanical installation, data acquisition, and optimisation.
• Diagnostics alignment, development and verification of short-pulse output.
• 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.
• Operation of the laser system to support the research team and user experiments.

Person Specification

Please remember that this is a student summer placement scheme and we should be moving away from assessing experience and consider future potential instead.Please indicate whether you will assess the criteria through shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)

In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

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)
• 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 of applications have been received.

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.