Development of Particle Detectors for Neutron and Muon Beamlines - Industrial Placement

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Development of Particle Detectors for Neutron and Muon Beamlines - Industrial Placement

Salary: £23,328 per annum 

Hours: Full time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire 

Closing date: 20th October 2024

Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (Virtual)

Start date: September 2025

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

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:

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)
• 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)

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

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. 

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 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 disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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.