Octopus Industrial Placement
| Posting date: | 02 October 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,961 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 19 October 2025 |
| Location: | Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | STFC |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 1229 |
Summary
Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 months)
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Interview Date: December 2025 / January 2026
About the Role
We’re looking for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Octopus team at the Central Laser Facility. This is an exciting opportunity to work with advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques and support researchers from across the UK and Europe.
You’ll help implement imaging workflows for super resolution microscopy and contribute to a research project exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of signalling proteins in live cells. This placement offers hands-on experience in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, ideal for students passionate about cell biology, imaging, and microscopy.
Key Responsibilities
- Learn and apply microscopy techniques including STED and FLIM
- Support everyday user operations and assist with sample preparation
- Perform cell culture and immunolabelling
- Operate microscopes and carry out quality control
- Process and analyse biological images
- Contribute to a research project focused on protein dynamics in cells
Person Specification
Essential Criteria (assessed via shortlisting and/or interview):
✔Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree and returning to complete your studies after the placement (S)
✔Required or have requested to undertake an industrial placement year (S)
✔Eligible to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
✔Available to start in summer 2026 (S)
✔Studying a relevant Life Sciences degree (S)
✔Strong record keeping and ability to maintain a lab notebook (S&I)
✔Good time and workload management skills (S&I)
✔Strong communication and interpersonal skills (S&I)
✔Self-motivated with a flexible approach to problem solving (S&I)
✔Careful and tidy approach to practical work (S&I)
✔Interest in fluorescence microscopy applied to life sciences (I)
Desirable Criteria:
✔Interest in photophysics or biophysics (S&I)
✔Interest in research standards and quality control (S&I)
✔Interest in multidisciplinary science (S&I)
To view the full job description and explore our employee benefits, please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our careers site.
Employee Benefits
✔30 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days
✔Flexible working hours
✔Defined average salary pension scheme
✔Free parking and accessible public transport links
✔Excellent learning and development opportunities
✔Cycle to work scheme
More about our benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/
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.
Why Join Us?
At STFC, we ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to help solve some of the biggest challenges on Earth. Our scientists, engineers, and support teams work together to explore the unknown and turn discoveries into real-world impact.
What could you achieve with world-leading facilities and experts by your side?
Join us and discover what’s possible.
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 months)
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Interview Date: December 2025 / January 2026
About the Role
We’re looking for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Octopus team at the Central Laser Facility. This is an exciting opportunity to work with advanced fluorescence microscopy techniques and support researchers from across the UK and Europe.
You’ll help implement imaging workflows for super resolution microscopy and contribute to a research project exploring the spatiotemporal dynamics of signalling proteins in live cells. This placement offers hands-on experience in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, ideal for students passionate about cell biology, imaging, and microscopy.
Key Responsibilities
- Learn and apply microscopy techniques including STED and FLIM
- Support everyday user operations and assist with sample preparation
- Perform cell culture and immunolabelling
- Operate microscopes and carry out quality control
- Process and analyse biological images
- Contribute to a research project focused on protein dynamics in cells
Person Specification
Essential Criteria (assessed via shortlisting and/or interview):
✔Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree and returning to complete your studies after the placement (S)
✔Required or have requested to undertake an industrial placement year (S)
✔Eligible to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
✔Available to start in summer 2026 (S)
✔Studying a relevant Life Sciences degree (S)
✔Strong record keeping and ability to maintain a lab notebook (S&I)
✔Good time and workload management skills (S&I)
✔Strong communication and interpersonal skills (S&I)
✔Self-motivated with a flexible approach to problem solving (S&I)
✔Careful and tidy approach to practical work (S&I)
✔Interest in fluorescence microscopy applied to life sciences (I)
Desirable Criteria:
✔Interest in photophysics or biophysics (S&I)
✔Interest in research standards and quality control (S&I)
✔Interest in multidisciplinary science (S&I)
To view the full job description and explore our employee benefits, please click ‘Apply’ to be redirected to our careers site.
Employee Benefits
✔30 days annual leave plus 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days
✔Flexible working hours
✔Defined average salary pension scheme
✔Free parking and accessible public transport links
✔Excellent learning and development opportunities
✔Cycle to work scheme
More about our benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/
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.
Why Join Us?
At STFC, we ask some of the biggest questions in the universe to help solve some of the biggest challenges on Earth. Our scientists, engineers, and support teams work together to explore the unknown and turn discoveries into real-world impact.
What could you achieve with world-leading facilities and experts by your side?
Join us and discover what’s possible.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.