Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: Band D (S1) £42,840 - £47,124 to Band E (S1) £53,818 - £59,199 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (minimum of 30 hours) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants) Contract Type: Fixed Term (2 years) Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Edinburgh Come and work at the forefront of science and engineering. Stretch your technical skills while building human understanding. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. And, alongside world class scientists, engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real answers that shape society and improve lives. Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you're equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best. About Us As part of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is a recognised national centre that specialises in the design, development, and integration of advanced astronomical instruments and systems. Our reputation extends to both ground-based and space-based astronomy programs, where we collaborate with leading observatories and organisations worldwide. We hold leading roles in several ongoing and future astronomy projects, including the HARMONI and MOSAIC instruments for the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT, elt.eso.org), and small deployable optical space telescopes. About the Role We are in search of an experienced adaptive optics engineer/scientist to become an integral part of our Applied Optics group. You will join multi-disciplinary teams on projects varying in scale from design studies and technology development through to international collaborations building instruments for some of the world's largest observatories. Your involvement will encompass all stages of instrument development, collaborating closely with astronomers to establish requirements, formulating innovative designs, and assembling and integration of instruments. Your contributions will be especially significant in shaping the Ground Layer Adaptive Optics (GLAO) system design for MOSAIC, a future instrument for the European Extremely Large Telescope, which is currently advancing into its Phase B. Responsibilities Within the Applied Optics group at UK ATC, you will assume a pivotal role in conceiving, designing, developing, and testing adaptive optics systems for both ground-based astronomical projects and space instrumentation. A comprehensive grasp of adaptive optics theory coupled with hands-on experience in adaptive optics instruments is essential. Your contributions will extend to relevant AO-related initiatives within STFC, encompassing astronomical projects such as MOSAIC and PCS. Your specific duties include: Performing numerical modelling of adaptive optics systems Designing and analysing adaptive optics systems Prepare technical reports to document the AO design and performance Conducting laboratory tests and conducting data analysis Assisting in the integration and testing phases of instrumentation projects This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute significantly to the advancement of adaptive optics technology and its application in both astronomical and non-astronomical domains. Your expertise will play a vital role in ensuring the success of our projects, fostering innovation, and driving our mission forward. Person Specification We welcome candidates with a robust background in adaptive optics for ground-based astronomical instruments and hands-on experience in experimental laboratory work, as well as those well-versed in simulations and theoretical modelling, to apply for this position. The following will be assessed at Shortlisting (S) and/or Interview (I) Ph.D. level qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant science or engineering discipline (S) Good understanding and extensive working knowledge of adaptive optics (S&I) Experience in the design, construction, and testing of adaptive optics systems for astronomical instrumentation (S&I) Understanding of tomographic AO, wavefront reconstruction, and control algorithms. (S&I) Proficiency in high-level modeling software such as Python, Matlab, IDL, or C (S) Proven ability to work proactively and collaboratively as part of a team (I) Excellent communication skills, able to clearly present technical material in meetings and written reports (S&I) Additional specifications for Band-E candidates include: Experience of working independently and leading small teams (S&I) Experience in the design, construction, and testing of tomographic adaptive optics systems for astronomical instrumentation (S&I) Understanding of aspects of project management (S&I) 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, technicians 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 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) - UK Astronomy Technology Centre Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract External Closing Date: Jul 9, 2024 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 42,840 Hours: Full-time / Part-time