Ultrafast Spectroscopy Research Scientist Industrial Placement

Ultrafast Spectroscopy Research Scientist Industrial Placement 

• Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
• Salary: £24,961 per annum
• Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12 months
• Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
• Location:  Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot
• Closing Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025 
• Interview Date: Dec 2025 / Jan 2026
• Start Date:  September 2026

We are looking for a year in industry placement student to join our team of expert scientists. You will gain hands-on experience in an exciting research and development environment. Here at the Ultra facility, we specialise in using ultrafast lasers to perform a range of cutting-edge Time Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy techniques, such as Transient Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy and 2D-Infrared Spectroscopy. You will assist in the operation of the facility and be involved in frontier research across biological, chemical and material sciences.  

Researchers come to the Ultra facility to study a variety of applications, from how molecules behave during chemical reactions to how materials respond to light. You’ll help set up and run these experiments, giving you the opportunity to meet new researchers and engage in a variety of scientific problems. Your tasks might include aligning laser beams, preparing and positioning samples, setting up optical equipment, and helping to collect data. As well as supporting facility experiments; you’ll also get the chance to work on in-house development projects. This could involve helping to build and improve laser instrumentation, developing new ways to deliver or manipulate samples, or testing and refining new equipment or techniques. 

 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’ll become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You’ll be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Graduate Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.
 About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities 

• Supporting the setup and running of user experiments at the Facility
• Assist the team with operational tasks, such as purchasing and administration
• Helping to build or improve laser instrumentation
• Developing new ways to deliver or manipulate samples
• Contributing to the research environment of the facility by attending research seminars, group meetings, and engaging in scientific discussions

 Person Specification The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), 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 2026 (S) 
• Be enrolled in a physical science-based degree and be achieving upper second or first-class standard in exams to date. (S) 
• Be able to work in a safe and organised manner and follow the facility’s safety protocol. (I) 
• Have demonstratable knowledge and interest in Infrared spectroscopy and its applications. (S + I) 
• Be able to discuss their practical skills relevant to the position. (S + I) 
• A level or equivalent in Chemistry and/or Physics (S) 

Desirable:

• Be able to find, read and interpret relevant literature and discuss the wider context. (I) 

 

Employee Benefits:

• 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
• Flexible working hours.
• An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.
• Cycle to work scheme.

Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

Application Guidance

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

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. 

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible!

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

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.  For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

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. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.

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.