Accelerator Physics Summer Placement Warrington, North West England, England
Job description
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, Chershire
We are looking for an undergraduate student to join the ASTeC Accelerator Physics group on a summer placement (6-12 weeks) and contribute to ongoing efforts to model and optimise the CLARA accelerator before it resumes operations next year. The role will involve the use of specialist software to carry out numerical simulations of CLARA, and to develop online tools in preparation for commissioning of the facility with beam in 2024. The successful applicant will receive training in a wide range of topics, including accelerator physics, electrodynamics, control systems, and specialist software for numerical physics simulations. The student will join the accelerator physics group for the duration of their placement, and gain experience of working within a professional environment at a national research facility.
CLARA at STFC Daresbury Laboratory is a test facility for Free Electron Laser (FEL) research and novel accelerator technologies, providing high-quality electron bunches to a range of user experiments. Phase two of CLARA, which will bring the accelerator to its design energy (250 MeV) and repetition rate (100 Hz), is expected to begin commissioning in early 2024. Accurate simulations and modelling of the CLARA accelerator complex will be critical to its timely commissioning and successful operation as a user facility from 2024 onwards, and currently forms a large part of the Accelerator Physics group’s activities.
STFC’s Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) mission is to build the ‘Big Science’ facilities of the future; we design, build and operate particle accelerators and make major contributions to many of the biggest projects in the world today. Based at Daresbury Laboratory, we work with high-profile national and international partners that include the Cockcroft Institute. STFC is part of UKRI, the UK's national organisation for research; we encourage our staff to undertake world-leading work in a diverse and inclusive environment that supports work-life balance.
Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Contribute to modelling and optimisation of the upgraded CLARA accelerator using computer simulations and other calculations, employing specialist software tools (including python, git, cluster computing, and particle tracing codes such as ASTRA and ELEGANT) to do so.
- Assist with the development of computer software for the future commissioning of the CLARA accelerator, and liaise with other technical groups to test the software before its deployment.
- Build experience of working in an active research group at a large-scale physics research facility, and contribute to ongoing commissioning activities on CLARA.
In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:
Essential
- Are in full time education at university and returning to university/studies following the placement
- The right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement
- Practical experience or previous university study in physics or an engineering discipline
- Sound understanding of electrodynamics and special relativity
- Practical experience of using python, MATLAB, or similar software to solve physics problems and/or analyse data
- Ability to work independently as well as within a team, and to organise and prioritise work
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to identify relevant technical information and communicate this to colleagues
Desirable:
- Practical experience or previous study in particle accelerator physics
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.
We would recommend you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close this vacancy once we have received sufficient applications.
- Please note, we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
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.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
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.
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 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.
