Neutron and Muon Online Scientific Training Development Industrial Placement - Didcot

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) · Salary: £24,961 per annum · Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12 months · Hours: Full-time, 37 hours · Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX  · Closing Date: Sunday 8th March 2026 · Interview Date: Be ...

Job description

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12 months
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell Campus Didcot, OX11 0QX 
Closing Date: Sunday 8th March 2026
Interview Date: Between 21st to 30th April 2026
Start Date: September 2026

Fundamental to scientific research is training scientists in how to use new techniques and interpret the results of their experiments. The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is internationally renowned for the training it offers its scientific users through both in-person training courses and online learning. To increase the reach of its training to scientists around the world and improve the quality of learning, ISIS is expanding the range of training materials that are available online. In this role you will work with ISIS scientists to write online learning courses based on existing materials using a range of media types. 

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

Over the course of the project the students will be supported in learning the fundamentals of the muon and neutron experimental techniques used to study materials across a wide range of science areas. Students will then move on to collaboratively develop their project within the following areas:

• Researching, writing, and presenting online exercises, quizzes, and tailoring directed courses based on the principles of neutron and muon experiments. For more information about the type of learning materials being created, see: https://e-
• Developing supporting materials for training school experiments that show the practical details, the scientific basis for them, and how the data are analysed
• Producing tutorials and short training videos for worked examples of data analysis software used across ISIS, see:
• Working with ISIS staff and international partners on the online learning platform.
• Disseminating output through technical reports, posters and presentations.

The materials developed will be actively used in supporting and training new and existing ISIS users in details of sample preparation, data collection and data analysis. Within this role there are considerable opportunities to develop a broad range of professional skills and learn about a wide range of contemporary science, with support from scientific and technical experts. Additional opportunities to take part in scientific research may be available. 

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)
• A-Level Physics and/or Chemistry and/or Biology (S)
• Good written and oral communication skills relevant to specialist and/or non-specialist audiences (S&I)
• Demonstrates good team working abilities (S&I)
• The willingness to develop new skills, both technical and non-technical (S&I)

Desirable:

• Undergraduate level understanding of a subject in the physical, chemical, or biological sciences (S&I)
• Familiarity with online learning courses (S&I)
• Content creation skills (e.g., Wikis, websites, videos, animations, or graphics) (S&I)
• Experience of data analysis using scripting or coding.   (S&I)
• Demonstrates good time management skills to work effectively across multiple projects (S&I)
• Interest in and understanding of how people lear

Employee Benefits:

• 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:

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:

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 

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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world. 

One of Europe's largest research organisations, we're trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we're driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale. 

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