High-Energy Laser Scientist Industrial Placement

High-Energy Laser Scientist Industrial Placement

Would you like to join a world record-setting team, working at the leading edge of laser science?

We are the Centre for Advanced Laser Technology and Applications (CALTA), a research and development division of STFC’s Central Laser Facility. CALTA pioneered DiPOLE, a world-leading, high-energy laser amplifier technology. Through DiPOLE technology, we have designed and built multiple record-breaking, kilowatt-class, high-energy, diode-pumped solid-state lasers operating at both 10 Hz and 100 Hz pulse rates.

We are now expanding on this core technology to tackle innovative scientific challenges. For example, we are currently developing and constructing a 10 Hz, 1 petawatt beamline at the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre. This system will support advanced research in areas such as novel particle accelerator technologies and ultra-bright x-ray sources. In addition, we are leading the development of a laser driver for nuclear fusion energy as part of the UK government’s inertial fusion research programme.

Successful candidates will take an active role in our current projects. These research activities typically involve developing new optical setups, testing and integrating components into laser systems, and conducting energetics modelling. By directly engaging in the development, operation, and testing of high-energy lasers, we aim to provide candidates with a genuine experience of life as a laser scientist.

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

This industrial placement is with a small and diverse team. You will be working directly with CALTA scientists and CLF engineers, and will be involved in a variety of different activities such as:

• Having ownership of key tasks within high-profile projects, under the guidance of a Technical Manager, where you will have direct influence over the outcomes;
• Taking an active role in experiments and supporting world-renowned scientists, learning new skills and experiences continuously;
• Analysing data and reporting your findings to the team, and other placement students, via written reports and presentations;
• Developing techniques to improve DiPOLE lasers for improved performance (higher energies and repetition rates) and exploring new applications, both on your own and as part of a team;
• Learning how to operate lasers, cryogenic systems, and high-vacuum systems in a clean room environment;
• Learning and developing computer modelling and system control skills, to support your own project as well as other ongoing research activities;
• Networking by attending local conferences and collaborating with other departments within CLF

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)
• Predicted grades corresponding to a 2:1 or higher (S)
• Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about lasers and optics (S&I)
• Highly motivated (I)
• Good problem-solving skills (I)
• Works well both in a team and independently (S&I)
• Good time management skills (I)
• Effective communication skills (S&I)
• Responsible approach to health and safety (I)

Desirable:

• Practical laboratory experience (S&I)
• Experience with coding for data analysis (S&I)
• Hands on experience with lasers and optical setups (S&I)
• Experience with computational modelling of physical systems and/or developing software to control systems (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.