Development of Particle Detectors for Neutron and Muon Beamlines Industrial Placement

The ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences. ISIS is part of the National Laboratories Directorate, which operate large scale research facilities to provide experimental techniques to the scientific community. International scientists and engineers come to ISIS to determine the structure and dynamics of materials at the molecular/atomic level, using neutron and muon instruments. Each of these instruments require a bespoke suite of 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 instruments. The properties of any given detector have to be carefully matched to the specific scientific techniques performed on the neutron or muon instrument they serve. 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.

The Detector Systems Group is looking for two students with a keen interest in developing state-of-the-art instrumentation. You will work within the Detector Systems Group, learning how to develop and build new detector technologies for future use at the ISIS suite of neutron and muon instruments.

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

Projects

The Detector Systems Group has two placements available. The first is for the development of 3He filled detectors and scintillation detectors for neutron beam lines. The second position is for the development of detectors for muon spectroscopy.

Detectors for neutron beam lines

To address the challenges of detectors for new neutron beamlines, the Detector Systems Group is developing both gas-filled and scintillation-based neutron detectors. µRWELL detectors have emerged as the most promising new type of 3He-filled neutron detector and initial evaluation of these devices has been very successful. The gas detector section is now continuing its investigations to explore the full potential and applications of these detectors at ISIS.

The scintillator section is conducting world-leading research on novel scintillation-based neutron detectors. The current challenge is to develop large-area scintillator detectors that can cope with the challenging neutron rates and positioning accuracy requirements. The successful candidate will learn and apply scintillator physics, light collection strategies and signal processing algorithms, leading to new technologies for our next generation neutron beamlines.

Positron detectors for Muon Spectroscopy

Within the muon detector section of the group, an extensive development program is underway to deliver detectors for our latest muon spectrometer, ‘Super MuSR’. Super MuSR will ensure a ground-breaking increase in counting rate and time resolution thanks to its 1000-pixel array and the use of digital signal processing techniques. The challenge is to optimise the detector performance, requiring the development of experimental methods, signal processing and data analysis.

Summary of key duties

The successful candidates will investigate methods to produce detectors with the required performance and at an acceptable cost. This is typically done by designing and constructing a series of prototype detectors, experimentally determining the characteristics of these detectors and optimising the design in our suite of laboratories. In addition, the successful candidates will be awarded beam time on an ISIS instrument to evaluate the performance of their prototypes in their ultimate environment.

Summary of responsibilities

The successful candidates will be responsible for carrying out the experimental programme, with both hands-on experimental responsibilities as well as data analysis tasks. Help and advice will be provided by the supervisors. You are also encouraged to present the results of your project in regular meetings with your line manager and in section meetings.

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

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 2025 (S)
• Studying for a degree in physics or another physics related degree (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)

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.