3D Printing Industrial Placement

3D Printing Industrial Placement

The UK ATC is the UK's national laboratory for the design and development of astronomical instrumentation. The UK ATC has a rich heritage of instrumentation development for ground- and space-based observatories. It employs a broad spectrum of engineers and scientists across the full range of disciplines required for contemporary astronomy (optical design, mechanical engineering, electronics, software, systems engineering, project management). The UK ATC has an extensive track record of successfully applying processes and technologies developed for astronomy into other sectors (e.g. Earth observation/remote sensing, environmental monitoring). The UK ATC develops instruments for world leading organisations, such as the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA.

AM4Space is a multidisciplinary team that works alongside the Project Science Group, Optics Group and the Mechanical Engineering Group at the UK ATC. The motivation behind AM4Space is to explore the design freedom offered by additive manufacturing (AM; 3D printing) and how astronomical components can be redesigned to take advantage of AM – specifically telescope mirrors. The AM4Space team aims to solve some of the fundamental challenges inherent to AM that have so far prevented wider uptake of AM within the astronomical community, such as mechanical performance, particularly within harsh environments; optical performance of AM substrates; and linking design for AM with design for manufacture.

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.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

As a 3D Printing Industrial Placement student you will work in parallel with a current UK ATC project team to redesign a key hardware component for AM. Potential projects include, but are not limited to, the AM redesign of the secondary mirror from the CubeSat Camera (CCAM) study, reducing the mass and combining multiple parts into one structure; implementing a new AM design to convert an existing AM aluminium mirror into an AM ceramic mirror; or the design and manufacture of an AM ceramic prototype mirror for ultra-violet or X-ray astronomy applications. The goal of the placement is to transfer the key knowledge in how the AM redesign has been achieved and the lessons learnt to the engineers, technicians and scientists working at the UK ATC.

Responsibilities include:

• Using computer aided design (CAD) and AM specific design software to redesign the astronomical component to incorporate the benefits of AM.
• Using finite element analysis (FEA) to assess the redesigned component to ensure the design meets the requirements.
• Collaborating with the Engineering Support Group to ensure that the design can be both printed and machined.
• Coordinating the manufacture (3D printing and subtractive machining) of the redesigned component.
• Evaluating the performance of the AM component and how it compares to the original conventional design.
• Communicating and collaborating with national and/or international stakeholders within the project.
• Creation of a project report and poster intended for an external audience.

To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:

Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I):

• Enrolled on a Mechanical Engineering degree (or similar) 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)
• An understanding of engineering drawings and 3D modelling, coupled with a desire to learn different 3D computer aided design software. (S&I)
• An enthusiasm for additive manufacturing linked with an interest in astronomy or space science (S&I).
• Numerically literate; demonstrated by providing an example of how a mathematical function has aided an engineering analysis. (S)
• An understanding of multidisciplinary projects; demonstrated by providing a simple example of how multiple disciplines (for example, mechanical engineering, a science goal, electronics etc.) come together to form a project. The example does not have to reflect the candidate’s experience. (S)
• Good interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated by working with a broad range of individuals to achieve a goal and describing technical subject matter to the panel at interview with clarity (S&I).

Desirable

• Knowledge of best practice design and/or analysis techniques, for example, the use of appropriate mechanical tolerances, or assessing the quality of measurement data. (S&I).
• Knowledge of 3D printing, either in design and/or via hands-on printing. (S&I)
• Knowledge of finite element analysis and its use relating to mechanical design. (S)
• An interest in public engagement (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.