Vulcan Laser Scientist Industrial Placement

Lasers are the backbone and the workhorse of scientific and technological development worldwide. In 2023, the Central Laser Facility (CLF) was awarded a significant project to build the world's most powerful laser, the Vulcan 20-20, capable of achieving 20 petawatts. This project represents the pinnacle of high technology.

The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is one of the world’s leading laser centres, providing scientists mainly from the UK and continental Europe with access to an unparalleled range of state of the art laser technology. The CLF has around 180 staff and its function - user facility, international research – makes it a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. It has a welcoming and inclusive culture, and you will find that people will naturally help and support you.

Our host organisation, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe’s largest research organisations and operates at a number of sites within the UK, including RAL and many more around the world. RAL is home to about 1,200 staff that work with a community of more than 10,000 scientists and engineers mainly from the research sector, which spans the scientific spectrum including energy, security, materials healthcare, life-sciences and the environment to address important challenges facing society.

STFC is an award winning employer and RAL is a superb place to work – there is pioneering work going on all around the site and the environment, facilities and conditions are excellent. RAL has a real buzz and the people working here have a profound sense of pride in what they achieve. Alongside an excellent working environment and comprehensive continued professional development STFC offer’s a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance. This includes 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas shut down, flexible working hours, a workplace nursery, an exceptional career average defined benefit pension scheme, and social and sporting activities and societies. Full details can be found on STFC’s careers pages.

Brief description 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.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

We are seeking a talented and dedicated physics s with a keen interest in Laser technology to join our team and contribute to this groundbreaking project. The successful student will play a critical role in the development and optimization of the high-intensity beamline, working on design evaluation, simulation, and construction of optical hardware, as well as software development for a unique laser system.

This will involve constructing optical hardware, optical design work and/or software development.

• Commissioning of state-of-the-art high power laser systems for research including optomechanical installation, data acquisition, and optimisation
• Diagnostics design and development for existing and future laser systems.
• Computational work for laser design and simulation including MATLAB and Opticstudio.
• Technical and scientific writing required to document progress and produce reports.
• Work with technical equipment such as commercial lasers, oscilloscopes, optical fibres, spectrometers, cameras.

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

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

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)
• Minimum of two years of degree course in physics, or a closely related subject, with grades corresponding to a 2:1 or higher (S)
• A-level Maths or equivalent (S)
• A-level Physics or equivalent (S)

Desirable:

• Knowledge of basic optics (S&I)
• Experimental physics laboratory course (S&I)
• Knowledge of one programming language (e.g. Visual Basic, C++, MATLAB) (S&I)
• Knowledge of laser/optical theory (S&I)
• Further Maths (S&I)
• Physics knowledge (S&I)
  

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.