Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot
Closing Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025
Interview Date: Dec 2025 / Jan 2026
Start Date: September 2026
The Target Fabrication Group in the Central Laser Facility are responsible for providing micro-sized complex objects for use in high-power laser experiments. These objects are placed at the focal point of high-intensity laser interactions and are made from novel materials. Target requirements are dependent on experimental requirements and vary broadly from one experimental campaign to the next. The experimental topics span plasma physics and particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, and industrial applications opportunities.
In order to create extreme environments, the laser is focused to an interaction point comparable to the width In order to create the extreme environments, the laser is focused to an interaction point comparable to the width of a human hair, the targets that are required have features of the same magnitude. On this scale manufacture and quality control is extremely challenging. Target Fabrication requires a wide range of physical and chemical processes, together with advanced characterisation techniques to deliver targets that meet the experiment's requirements.
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
The facility has a key deliverable of supporting high-repetition rate laser experiments which will require delivering thousands of batch-produced targets to experiments on the new EPAC laser facility as well and providing development and support the UK plasma physics community.
The student will be developing the capability to provide these targets through the ongoing development of the automated target assembly robot. This uses pick-and-place and glue-dispensing robots as well as automated palletisation of targets. In addition, the student will support the development of other high repetition rate delivery methods such as liquid targets, and tape-driven target developments using additive manufacturing and CAD.
The student will also support the general operational delivery of targets to experiments on the Gemini laser enabling them to engage with the experimental program.
Key areas that will be addressed will include:
* Demonstrate rapid manufacture of targets using automated assembly
* Program control systems responsible for the pick and place of a variety of objects
* Improve the yield of automated target manufacture by implementing engineering solutions and testing outcomes
* Further develop the existing computer vision capabilities
* Complete project documentation by tracking progress against milestones
* Run 3D printing technology for the benefit of the wider group
* Use CAD skills to assist the wider group with 3D design
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 (S)
* Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S)
* Able to commence employment in summer 2026 (S)
* Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
* Subject of degree to be Robotics, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or closely related (S)
* Good knowledge on the basics of physics, A-level Physics (or equivalent) minimum (S&I)
* Knowledge of robotics system or automation and an appreciation for how they work (university project or individual interest) (S&I)
* Working experience with 3D CAD design software (S)
* Familiarity with PLC Ladder logic and computer vison capabilities (I)
* The ability to work individually on a project, plan effectively and write reports (S)
Desirable:
* Some relevant programming experience with control systems for robotics (S&I) and Python
* Experience using a 3D printer (S)
* Have used Fusion / SolidWorks or Solid Edge(S)
* Proven examples of working in a team to complete a technical or scientific project (S)
* Has presented project work to their academic supervisors or peers (S&I)
* Basic knowledge of the type of experiment that could take place with a high-power laser (I)
* Can identify hazards and work safely in a challenging environment (I)
* Appreciation of how different materials are suited to different pick and place applications in an engineering context (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.
Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/
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. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
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!
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.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
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, 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.
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.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/