Graduate Software Engineer Didcot, England
Job description
Salary: £27938
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
The ISIS pulsed neutron and muon source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences. It is owned and operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council. ISIS produces beams of neutrons and muons to study materials at the atomic level using a modern suite of neutron and muon instrumentation. It supports a national and international community of more than 2000 scientists who use neutrons and muons for research in physics, chemistry, materials science, geology, engineering, and biology. Computing lies at the heart of many ISIS activities, from user office management, experiment planning, data acquisition through to data analysis and management.
In order to control and gather data from the ISIS experiments a suite of software and associated systems is developed and maintained by staff in the Experiment Controls Group. The data acquired is collated from a number of distributed systems using various communications protocols, and co-ordinated by IBEX, our next generation of instrument control software. The IBEX project uses the open source EPICS (Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System) and Eclipse/RCP frameworks. IBEX runs on the Microsoft Windows platform and development is carried out in a number of programming languages, but predominately Java and Python.
The Graduate Scheme
The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development.
Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. For more information on our full list benefits, please visit here (https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/).
Summary of key duties & responsibilities
The position will be as a full member of our team. You will be responsible for developing and supporting new drivers for use with the hardware that controls and monitors experiments, for example temperature and motion controllers. You will also be involved in developing and maintaining the user interfaces. IBEX and other software projects employ Agile software development methodologies, you will be involved in all aspects of the process.
You will be expected to:
- Communicate and work with fellow software engineers, customers, scientists, engineers, and management including writing documentation for technical and non-technical users
- Design solutions making use of appropriate techniques and tools
- Write clear, well-structured code that implements the design and is easy to maintain
- Test and deploy your solutions, including helping to provide support after release
- Take an active role in both technical and non-technical meetings
- Participate in the wider department and STFC graduate training programme
As you develop in the role you will be expected to:
- Lead work packages and projects through to completion
- Supervise and mentor junior colleagues.
Training will be provided as necessary. In addition to a full induction and “on the job” training, you will have the opportunity to subscribe to professional online tutorial sites, attend conferences, attend technical courses, undertake various soft skills training and take part in our organisation-wide Early Careers conference, where you can network with other graduates and colleagues at the start of their career.
We operate a flexible hybrid approach to working, but spend the majority of our time onsite to support the equipment and ISIS users. When you have gained experience you would also become part of our on-call out of hours support rota.
In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:
Essential:
- You’ll need to have, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study ( computer science, software engineering or a scientific/engineering related discipline combined with significant exposure to software development)
- Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
- Experience of object oriented software development, in Java, C#, C++, Python or similar
- Good communication skills
- Demonstrate good team working capabilities
- The willingness to learn new skills, both technical and non-technical
- Willing to become part of our on-call out of hours support rota. (I)
Desirable:
- Knowledge of software development tools, methodologies and best practices
- Good knowledge of software design patterns and techniques
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.
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.
