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Optics Specialist

Employer
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Location
Harwell, Oxfordshire
Salary
£38,318 – £44,166
Posting live until
30 Aug 2021

Job Details

Salary: £38,318  – £44,166 pro rata (depending on experience) 
Permanent 
Full Time/Part Time 
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire 
Closing 30th August 2021 

Would you like to help accelerate the adoption of novel technologies in space? 

RAL Space is at the forefront of UK space research and development, having provided technology and know-how for over 200 space missions. The RAL Space Disruptive Technology group is working to reduce the cost and effort required to prepare novel technologies for use in space.
 
As an Instrument Development Scientist in the Disruptive Technology group you will help develop optical, mechanical and electronic instrumentation, as well as the software systems that control and handle data from the instruments. You will be involved in the development of spacecraft payload instruments for commercial and academic end users, across astronomy, space science, remote-sensing and communications domains. This work requires a cross-disciplinary, agile approach to solving complex problems.

The role will include design and development work from concept through prototype and the support of engineering teams developing the end user solutions. 

This role provides exceptional opportunities to experience a wide range of cutting-edge technology developments but requires a flexible and motivated individual who can support multiple projects with a wide range of partners inside a small, dedicated team. 

About you

For this role you will have:

  • A bachelor’s degree in optics or physics. Other numerate degrees with substantial practical experience will be considered
  • Experienced in optical design, optimisation, analysis, and tolerancing and procurement. The group prefers Zemax as an optical design package 
  • Experience with developing and building optical instrumentation.

Employee benefits

We are offering a permanent position that provides a whole host of family friendly benefits including; 30 days holiday (in addition to bank holidays), an excellent defined average salary pension scheme, employee shopping/travel discounts, a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance.

For more about the role please follow the below link to our careers page, Optics Specialist - Careers Portal Careers

Company

STFC imageAt the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), research is driven by practical applications and a curiosity to create a world-leading hub of scientific and engineering excellence. Our science and facilities enable researchers to answer fundamental questions about the nature of the universe. Success typically requires long-term strategic investment, international collaboration on a global scale and the capability to push the limits of technology and engineering. To remain internationally competitive in our areas of science and to keep our facilities at the leading edge, we have to develop bespoke technology that cannot be reliably sourced on the open market, for example in detectors and instrumentation, accelerators, specialist engineering, optics and e-infrastructure. These technologies are often also applied to address broader societal and industrial challenges and we actively promote their translation and commercialization.

Why work for us
When you join STFC, you become a key part of one of Europe’s largest research organizations. We are trusted to support, enable, and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields that you could be a part of. With access to our world-class facilities, people like you are helping us to drive ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology.

  • The Particle Physics Department (PPD) is one of the largest particle physics groups in the UK. We design, construct and operate some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, MICE, Lux-Zeplin, DEAP-3600, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider and AION collaborations.
  • The National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) is a £93m UKRI investment over five years based at the Harwell Campus. This is a strategic element within the overall £1bn, 10-year investment into quantum technologies made by the UK since 2014.

Our benefits

  • 30 days annual leave plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
  • Flexible or hybrid working may be available dependent on role.
  • Defined benefit pension scheme (employer contribution – currently up to 26%).
  • Sport and social groups across campus with access to an on-site gym.

For more information on all of our employee benefits, visit www.stfccareers.co.uk/why-join/rewards-and-benefits.

Who we are looking for
The UK has a world-class research and innovation system. Our expertise spans all fields of knowledge, from the discovery of penicillin and monoclonal antibodies, to the jet engine and the World Wide Web. Therefore it is vital for us to have the best people at all levels throughout UKRI. We want to continue to attract a mix of talented professionals, scientists and engineers.


Locations
UK-wide

Number of employees
STFC has 2594 staff members across the UK and UKRI has approx. 8000

Main areas of research
Our work encompasses everything from the physical, biological and social
sciences, to innovation, engineering, medicine, the environment, as well as arts and the humanities

Positions recently recruited for
Electronic engineers, data scientists, research associates CMS/DUNE, research associate on electron ion collider (EiC), ion trap physicists

Desired degree disciplines/class
A STEM degree

How to apply
Apply online at www.careersportal.co.uk/UKRI-careers/jobs/search/256393 

Closing date
All year round

Contact
Quantum physics and computing vacancies: E-mail amy.corpe@ukri.org
Particle physics vacancies: E-mail corinna.kilpatrick@ukri.org
stfc.ukri.org

Company info
Website
Location
Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Harwell
Oxfordshire
OX11 0QX
GB

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