Cryogenic Engineer - Industrial Placement

Job Details

View similar jobs

Cryogenic Engineer - 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 (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed)

Start date: September 2025

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

As part of STFC Cryogenics & Magnetics (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory) you will develop critical technology for:

• the next generation of European Space Agency (ESA) flight missions such as:
• the 29K-JT active cryocooler system for the upcoming Ariel mission.
• the Small Scale Cooler – a 1W 77K cryocooler which is aspiring to provide advanced cryogenic technology for low-cost space missions.
• The Joule Thompson Vapour Cooler – a radicle concept heat exchanger prototype to simplify deep space telescope thermal architecture.
• and/or to future Particle Physics Facilities (such as Search for Hidden Particle “SHiP” for CERN).

This work has potentially wider implications for current terrestrial applications both scientific and commercial in nature.

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.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

Planning, running, documenting and analysis for the project; including but not limited to:

• Designing concept mechanical components for both the cryocooler product as well as tooling and testing parts.
• Preparing, designing and running experiments that will validate and/or improve our design modelling.
• Integrating/implanting any new finding from literature work.
• Methodical and meticulously documenting your findings.

No project runs in isolation: there will be a need to aid other projects and programmes as well as take on some operational responsibility within our laboratory.

Personal Skills and Attributes

We are looking for an Industrial Placement student with a passion for unique research or technology development, who can deliver:

• Fit for purpose concepts & designs
• Robust and accurate manufacturing data or laboratory experiments
• Strong theoretical predictions by applying their academic knowledge

The applicant should be able to show ability to develop new skills, apply new knowledge, and be confident to work independently (when needed). This is essential due to the multi-disciplinary nature of this work.

We request that you are:

• Reliable,
• Contentious/meticulous
• Able to integrate and work with others
• Able to apply new knowledge

Due to the demand for cryogenic expertise, STFC Cryogenics & Magnetics currently hosts a range of projects across several programmes. This means that all our group are exposed to projects, scientists and engineers that are not only working on ESA missions and particle accelerators but also: health care, transport, and ground-based astronomy (to name a few). All projects are bespoke in nature meaning that all team members become familiar with manufacturing and design, in order to compliment the project management and experimental work.

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)
• First year results demonstrate high grades in lab/project work (s)
• First year results are strong in general theory/maths. (s)
• Able to communicate clear complex thoughts in both spoken and write forms (S&I)
• Interested in applied research/design (S&I)
• Project, lab work, or extracurricular activities demonstrate: (S&I)
• good team working capabilities
• willingness to learn new skills, both technical and non-technical
• open minded and flexible in relation to the type of work assigned to them
• Show ability to apply theory to new information, particularly for these topics: (I)
• mechanical, electrical, thermal

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.