High-Energy Laser Scientist 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: | 1258 |
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 Campus, Didcot
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Interview Date: December 2025 / January 2026
About the Role
Join a world record-setting team at the forefront of laser science. The Centre for Advanced Laser Technology and Applications (CALTA), part of STFC’s Central Laser Facility, is pioneering DiPOLE — a world-leading high-energy laser amplifier technology.
CALTA has developed multiple record-breaking, kilowatt-class, diode-pumped solid-state lasers and is now expanding this technology to support cutting-edge research in particle acceleration, ultra-bright x-ray sources, and nuclear fusion energy.
As a placement student, you’ll actively contribute to these high-profile projects, gaining hands-on experience in laser development, optical setups, system integration, and computational modelling. This is a unique opportunity to experience life as a laser scientist and work alongside world-renowned researchers.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of tasks within high-profile laser development projects
- Support experiments and collaborate with scientists and engineers
- Analyse data and present findings through reports and presentations
- Develop techniques to improve DiPOLE laser performance
- Operate lasers, cryogenic systems, and high-vacuum systems in cleanroom - environments
- Learn and apply computer modelling and system control techniques
- Attend local conferences and collaborate across CLF departments
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)
✔Predicted grades equivalent to a 2:1 or higher (S)
✔Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about lasers and optics (S&I)
✔Highly motivated (I)
✔Good problem-solving skills (I)
✔Works well both independently and in a team (S&I)
✔Good time management skills (I)
✔Effective communication skills (S&I)
✔Responsible approach to health and safety (I)
Desirable Criteria:
✔Practical laboratory experience (S&I)
✔Experience with coding for data analysis (S&I)
✔Hands-on experience with lasers and optical setups (S&I)
✔Experience with computational modelling or system control software (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 on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Why Join Us?
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!
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 months)
Hours: Full-time (37 hours per week)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus, Didcot
Start Date: September 2026
Closing Date: Sunday, 19 October 2025
Interview Date: December 2025 / January 2026
About the Role
Join a world record-setting team at the forefront of laser science. The Centre for Advanced Laser Technology and Applications (CALTA), part of STFC’s Central Laser Facility, is pioneering DiPOLE — a world-leading high-energy laser amplifier technology.
CALTA has developed multiple record-breaking, kilowatt-class, diode-pumped solid-state lasers and is now expanding this technology to support cutting-edge research in particle acceleration, ultra-bright x-ray sources, and nuclear fusion energy.
As a placement student, you’ll actively contribute to these high-profile projects, gaining hands-on experience in laser development, optical setups, system integration, and computational modelling. This is a unique opportunity to experience life as a laser scientist and work alongside world-renowned researchers.
Key Responsibilities
- Take ownership of tasks within high-profile laser development projects
- Support experiments and collaborate with scientists and engineers
- Analyse data and present findings through reports and presentations
- Develop techniques to improve DiPOLE laser performance
- Operate lasers, cryogenic systems, and high-vacuum systems in cleanroom - environments
- Learn and apply computer modelling and system control techniques
- Attend local conferences and collaborate across CLF departments
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)
✔Predicted grades equivalent to a 2:1 or higher (S)
✔Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about lasers and optics (S&I)
✔Highly motivated (I)
✔Good problem-solving skills (I)
✔Works well both independently and in a team (S&I)
✔Good time management skills (I)
✔Effective communication skills (S&I)
✔Responsible approach to health and safety (I)
Desirable Criteria:
✔Practical laboratory experience (S&I)
✔Experience with coding for data analysis (S&I)
✔Hands-on experience with lasers and optical setups (S&I)
✔Experience with computational modelling or system control software (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 on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
Why Join Us?
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!
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.