Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: £22,096 per annum Hours: Full time Contract Type: Fixed Term Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire Are you studying for a degree in Electronic Engineering or a related discipline? Do you want to enhance your skills by completing a challenging microelectronic design project? At STFC our engineers apply their expertise in analogue and digital integrated circuit (IC) design, CMOS sensor development and FPGA systems engineering, to help push the frontiers of scientific research. Our microelectronics projects range from the design of a single system-on-chip to large solutions that use hundreds of custom ICs or industry-leading field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). Our engineers make critical contributions to many internationally renowned experiments, including the Large Hadron Collider which famously discovered the Higgs Boson. Furthermore, our world-leading image sensors have a wide range of applications including life science research, charged particle detection, medical imaging and industrial inspection. Finally, researchers throughout Europe rely upon our design tool specialists for expert tuition and support with the latest IC design software and methodologies. About Summer Placements at STFC 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 will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team. STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including flexible working hours, health promotion programmes, and subsidised restaurant and coffee outlets. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here. Summary of Key Duties & Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be employed at STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in South Oxfordshire and will complete a 12-week paid placement. The successful candidate will make significant contributions to one of our challenging projects. Under the guidance of our experienced engineers, the successful candidate will leverage leading-edge design tools and world class technologies to tackle a project in one of the following areas: Analogue, digital and mixed signal Integrated Circuit (IC) design using a wide range of technologies. Design of sophisticated digital systems using FPGAs. Application engineering and consultancy for the latest design tools and IC design flows. Design of CMOS image sensors using advanced microelectronics technologies. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive technical training and encouragement to innovate and explore a vibrant subdiscipline of electronic engineering so they can reach their full potential. To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following: You are in full time education at university and will be returning to university/your studies once the summer placement has concluded. You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement. You have a minimum of three A-levels at grade C or above one of which must be mathematics, or alternative qualifications of an equivalent level. You are a second- or third-year student studying for an Integrated Master's degree (MEng) in Electronics Engineering (or related degree programme with comprehensive study of electronics) and are on track to achieve First or Upper Second Class Honours (2:1). You have an excellent understanding of electronic circuits and semiconductor devices which has been developed by completing projects and/or coursework. You are a reliable, hardworking student that enjoys solving challenging electronic engineering problems. You are proactive and self-motivated with a deep desire to improve your understanding of silicon chips and microelectronics design. You have good teamworking skills which have been developed by leading or making significant contributions to small teams and/or supporting fellow students in their learning. You have good interpersonal skills and can communicate relevant technical information to colleagues in English. 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. 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. 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. 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. Additional Information Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract External Closing Date: Mar 9, 2025 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 22,096 Hours: Full-time