Detector Scientist Industrial Placement

Detector Scientist Industrial Placement

Scientists and engineers from all around the world come to theISIS pulsed neutron and muon sourceto determine the structure and dynamics of materials at the molecular/atomic level, using neutron and muon beamlines. Each of these beamlines requires a bespoke suite of radiation detectors, developed by the Detector Systems Group.

The Detector Systems Group is a multi-disciplinary team of scientists developing cutting edge detector technologies to meet the challenging requirements posed by ISIS beamlines. To address the challenges of detectors for new neutron beamlines, the Detector Systems Group is developing both gas-filled and scintillation based neutron detectors. The current challenge is to develop large-area detectors that can cope with the challenging neutron rates and positioning accuracy requirements. Within the muon detector section of the group, an extensive development program is underway to deliver detectors for our latest muon spectrometer, ‘Super MuSR’. The challenge is to optimise the demanding detector performance, requiring the development of experimental methods, signal processing and data analysis.

The Detector Systems Group has two placements available. One is for the development of scintillation detectors for neutron beamlines. The other position is for the development of detectors for muon spectroscopy. The successful students will contribute to this programme, working alongside experienced detector scientists to develop and evaluate the potential of new detector technologies. The results and insights gained will have significant impact, as they will steer detector technology at ISIS in the future.

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. With an STFC Industrial Placement you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.

We’ll provide challenges that match your skills, and each placement is a unique opportunity to pursue your career interests. 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

The Detector Systems Group is looking for two students with a keen interest in developing state-of-the-art instrumentation. You will learn how to develop and build new detector technologies for future use at the ISIS suite of neutron and muon instruments. In addition, the successful candidates will be awarded beam time on an ISIS instrument to evaluate the performance of their prototypes in realistic experimental conditions.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Assist with the construction of your detectors and associated equipment.
• Experimentally determine the characteristics of these detectors in our suite of laboratories.
• Analyse the data using a range of software tools.
• Investigate methods to produce detectors with the required performance and at an acceptable cost.
• Optimise the design of your detector.
• Document your results and conclusions.
• You are encouraged to present the results of your project in bi-weekly section meetings.
• Help and advice will be provided by the supervisors.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

Essential:

• Studying for a degree in physics or another physics related degree (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)
• Ability to work independently and engage in self-motivated learning (I)
• Enjoy problem solving and pursuing an experimental development programme (S&I)
• Able to analyse data and draw conclusions (I)
• Demonstrate scientific computing related skills (S&I)
• Have good communication skills, both verbal and written (S&I)
• Be willing to work with ionising radiation (I)

Desirable:

• Have knowledge of ionizing radiation detectors (S&I).
• Have experience using test equipment for processing electronic signals, such as oscilloscopes (S&I)
• Demonstrate an extra-curricular interest in experimental physics (S)

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.