Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: £22,096 per year Hours: Full time Contract Type: 12 Week Fixed Term Contract Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. The Science and Technology Facilities Council's (STFC) RAL Space department carries out an exciting range of world class space research and technology development. We've had significant involvement in over 200 space missions and operate at the very forefront of UK Space Research. Find out more about the STFC RAL Space Development and Test facility here: https://www.youtube.com/user/RALSpaceSTFC The dynamics group operates a suite of large and small test facilities used in the mechanical verification of spacecraft. Smaller payload scale facilities have participated in major mission such as the James Webb Space Telescope and the ESA s Sentinel programmes. In the last year these facilities have been joined by the much larger capabilities of the National Satellite Test Facility. This facility provides a world class set of co-located facilities for the assembly, integration and testing of space payloads and satellites. The facility has the capability to conduct Vibration, Acoustic, Thermal, Pyroshock, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and antennae testing for full spacecraft up to 7 tonnes within clean room conditions. This new investment of over £99M adds to the existing facilities operated by RAL Space department, part of Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), within UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The operation of both the new and existing environmental test facilities are within the Environmental Test theme, with the Dynamics Group being responsible for a range of test types including vibration, deployment/separation, direct field acoustic noise and mass properties. In order to support the transition to operations of the large facilities new test procedures are being developed and refined. Working within the Dynamics group of the Environmental Test Division at RAL Space, the role involves supporting the team and assisting with vibration and pyroshock testing campaigns of spacecraft equipment for both internal and external customers, including the setup of equipment and test items. Duties could include working in a small group to set up test rigs for testing and operating software for data capture and analysis, working alongside customers to meet their requirements for the test, and providing them with useful, relevant test data and information. You will join the team in an exciting transition - the final commissioning process for the new National Satellite Test Facility, and can contribute to the preparation of the vibration and acoustic testing facilities for the first large satellite tests. Throughout the placement a growing understanding of spacecraft dynamic testing will allow you to work on some more independent projects such as micro-vibration work or development of acoustic test techniques. 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: You must be enthusiastic and highly motivated. You should be able to work well as part of a team as well as working independently. A strong interest in physical testing of spacecraft structural response is essential Assisting other test engineers in preparing and carrying out vibration tests Operating analysis equipment and software for capturing and processing data Developing analysis and test methods to improve the breadth or understanding of test operations To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following: Essential: 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 Good hands on experimental, mechanical or maker skills, experience or demonstrated aptitude Good written and verbal communication skills Aptitude for working and communicating effectively within a small team Desirable: An understanding of dynamics of structures including the effects of frequency and damping A keen interest in engineering and science in the space industry 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