Vulcan Laser Scientist Industrial Placement

Vulcan Laser Scientist Industrial Placement

Lasers are a critical force driving innovation, scientific breakthroughs, and technological advancement globally. In 2026, the Central Laser Facility (CLF) is proud to continue its pioneering role with the ongoing development of the Vulcan 20-20 laser—the world's most powerful laser, designed to deliver an unprecedented 20 petawatts of power. This cutting-edge project exemplifies our commitment to staying at the forefront of scientific discovery and technological excellence.

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) continues to be recognized internationally as a premier laser research hub, providing scientists from the UK, continental Europe, and around the world access to an exceptional suite of advanced laser technologies. With over 180 dedicated professionals, the CLF operates as an inclusive and welcoming international user facility. Our collaborative culture fosters innovation, mutual support, and a friendly working environment where colleagues readily assist and encourage one another.

Our host organization, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), remains one of Europe's leading scientific research bodies. Operating across several sites in the UK—including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)—and globally, STFC provides extensive infrastructure supporting groundbreaking research across a vast range of scientific disciplines. RAL itself is home to approximately 1,300 staff who collaborate closely with a global community of over 10,000 researchers and engineers. Their work spans critical sectors including energy, security, healthcare, life sciences, materials science, and environmental research, tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges.

STFC continues its legacy as an award-winning employer, and RAL maintains its reputation as an outstanding workplace. Employees enjoy a vibrant and stimulating environment driven by groundbreaking research and a strong sense of purpose. To support career growth and ensure a healthy work-life balance, STFC provides an extensive benefits package. This includes 30 days' annual leave, 11 public and privilege days, a Christmas shutdown period, flexible working arrangements, onsite childcare facilities, an outstanding career-average defined benefit pension scheme, and numerous opportunities for social engagement through sports clubs, interest groups, and professional societies. For comprehensive details, please visit the STFC Careers webpage.

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 seeking an innovative and dedicated individual with a strong scientific or engineering background and excellent problem-solving skills to join our dynamic team. The successful candidate will engage in diverse projects involving the design, evaluation, simulation, and implementation of advanced laser technology and other technological systems. This role provides an exceptional opportunity to work on cutting-edge challenges in the exciting and attractive field of lasers, offering substantial professional growth and a stimulating environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, analyze, and resolve complex technical problems through analytical thinking, simulation, and practical implementation
• Design, develop, and optimize advanced laser-based hardware and software solutions tailored to specific project requirements
• Commission advanced laser and technological systems, including installation, calibration, data acquisition, and performance optimization
• Develop diagnostic tools and methodologies to assess laser system performance and enhance operational effectiveness
• Employ computational tools and software such as MATLAB, Python, or equivalent platforms for simulation and design validation
• Clearly document technical progress and outcomes through detailed reports, technical manuals, and presentations
• Operate and maintain advanced laser equipment, as well as technical and scientific instrumentation, including oscilloscopes, spectrometers, cameras, sensors, and data acquisition systems

We offer an inclusive and supportive culture that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous professional development in a cutting-edge laser technology environment.

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)
• 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)
• Demonstrable ability in problem-solving and analytical reasoning (I)
• Evidence of ab initio reasoning through problems (I)

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)

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.

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.