Microelectronics Internship

Microelectronics Internship

Are you studying for a degree in Electronic Engineering or a related subject area?

Do you want to improve your skills by completing a challenging microelectronics design project?

At STFC our engineers apply their expertise in analogue and digital integrated circuit (IC) design, CMOS sensor development and FPGA systems engineering, to help push the frontiers of scientific research. Our microelectronics projects range from the design of a single system-on-chip to large solutions that use hundreds of custom ICs or industry-leading field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Our engineers make critical contributions to many internationally world-class experiments, including the Large Hadron Collider which famously discovered the Higgs Boson. Furthermore, our world-leading image sensors have a wide range of applications including life science research, charged particle detection, medical imaging and industrial inspection. Finally, researchers throughout Europe rely upon our design tool specialists for expert tuition and support with the latest IC design software and methodologies.

Summer Placements at STFC

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 will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The successful candidate will be employed at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in South Oxfordshire and will complete a 12-week paid placement. They will make significant contributions to one of our ambitious projects.

Under the mentorship of our experienced engineers, this placement will leverage leading-edge design tools and world class technologies to tackle a project in one of the following subdisciplines of electronic engineering:

• Analogue, digital and mixed signal Integrated Circuit (IC) design using a wide range of technologies.
• Design of sophisticated digital systems using FPGAs.
• Application engineering and consultancy for the latest design tools and IC design flows.
• Design of CMOS image sensors using advanced microelectronics technologies.

You are advised to tailor your application to one of the four subdisciplines.

You will receive comprehensive technical training and encouragement to innovate and explore a vibrant subdiscipline of electronic engineering so you can reach their full potential.

A high performing candidate could be offered a second summer internship at the end of their first placement. Consistent high performance could lead to a candidate receiving a conditional offer to join the organisation as a Graduate Microelectronics Engineer at the end of their studies. However, by applying to this vacancy, our commitment is to provide 12 weeks paid employment as a summer placement student in 2026. Progression to any other role is dependent on your performance and our ongoing business need.

Person Specification

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

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

Essential:

• You are in full time education at university and will be returning to university/your studies to complete your undergraduate degree once the summer placement has concluded. (S)
• You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement. (S)
• You have a minimum of three A-levels at grade C or above one of which must be mathematics, or alternative qualifications of an equivalent level. (S)
• You are a second- or third-year student studying for an Integrated Master’s degree (MEng) in Electronics Engineering (or related degree programme with comprehensive study of electronics) and are on track to achieve First or Upper Second Class Honours (2:1). (S)
• You have an excellent understanding of electronic circuits and semiconductor devices which has been developed by completing projects and/or coursework. (S&I)
• You are a reliable, hardworking student that enjoys solving challenging electronic engineering problems. (S&I)
• You are proactive and self-motivated with a deep desire to improve your understanding of silicon chips and microelectronics design. (S&I)
• You have good teamworking skills which have been developed by leading or making significant contributions to small teams and/or supporting fellow students in their learning. (S&I)
• You have good interpersonal skills and can communicate relevant technical information to colleagues (I)

Employee Benefits

We are offering a fixed term position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday pro rata
• Flexible working hours.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

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.

Employee Benefits

• 30 days holiday pro rata
• Flexible working hours.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

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!

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.

Application Process

• 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.

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.