Data Infrastructure Engineer 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, Chilbolton Observatory, Chilbolton, Stockbridge

Closing Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025 

Interview Date: Dec 2025 / Jan 2026

Start Date: September 2026

The Chilbolton Observatory is operated by RAL Space and provides a unique combination of scientific and technical capabilities, supporting multiple research communities including atmospheric science, space situational awareness, radio astronomy and communications. This post of industrial placement data infrastructure engineer will form an integral part of the team based on site at the Observatory that enables smooth operations of the Observatory infrastructure, including data networking.  The core role is focused on all aspects of data and networking support and will be part of the team developing and managing operations of on-site radar equipment to support the requirements of user research programmes. 

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

• Project and task-oriented computing supporting for a small team.
• Periodic helpdesk-based support within a larger departmental team.
• Routine monitoring and maintenance of servers and services, including hardware and software troubleshooting, patching, backup and repair.
• Development of scripts and software to aid project goals, utilising CMS and other coding platforms.
• Documentation of systems and procedures, both as they developed and as part of on-the-job learning.
• Data management; processing, cataloguing and archive.
• Organisation, cataloguing and procurement of spare parts.
• Ownership of 3rd-party support calls.
• Adherence to ISO9001 and ITIL practices and standards.
• Assisting staff in a variety of non-computing tasks, vital to maintaining on-site operations.  

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)
• Have own transport to reach Chilbolton Observatory (S&I)
• Good communication skills (S&I)
• Seeking to train and develop skills for a career within diverse computing environments (S&I)
• Have a flexible approach to duties and responsibilities as a member of a small, multi-disciplinary team (S&I)
• Pro-active problem-solving attitude (S&I) 

Desirable:

• Interest in one or more fields of scientific research or operations conducted within RAL Space (S&I)
• Be prepared to take ownership of a coding project, seeing it through from inception to completion. (S&I) 

Employee Benefits:

• We are offering a permanent position with a whole host of benefits including:
• •    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.