EPAC, the Extreme Photonics and Applications Centre, is a newly built UK national laser facility and is one of the most powerful pulsed laser systems in the UK and globally. Our laser technology represents the cutting edge of both science, technology, engineering and manufacturing achievable in the world today! The high intensity laser interactions achieved by these systems will allow a diverse array of experiments—to both national and international university-based research groups— for real-world applications in plasma physics to investigate medical applications, particle acceleration, laboratory astrophysics, exotic physics, and much more. The laser is currently in the final stages of its commissioning and demonstration of high-power laser output for the very first user experiments. In this role you will learn a substantial amount of laser physics through both experimental and simulation work. The tools that a successful candidate develop over the placement year will be very useful in any scientific or technical career and a substantial plus in any application.
The Central Laser Facility (CLF) is one of the world’s leading laser centres, providing scientists mainly from the UK and continental Europe with access to an unparalleled range of state-of-the-art laser technology! The CLF has around 180 staff and its function - user facility, international research – makes it a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. It has a welcoming and inclusive culture, and you will find that people will naturally help and support you.
Our host organisation, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe’s largest research organisations and operates at a number of sites within the UK, including RAL and many more around the world. RAL is home to about 1,200 staff that work with a community of more than 10,000 scientists and engineers mainly from the research sector, which spans the scientific spectrum including energy, security, materials healthcare, life-sciences and the environment to address important challenges facing society.
STFC is an award-winning employer and RAL is a superb place to work – there is pioneering work going on all around the site and the environment, facilities and conditions are excellent. RAL has a real buzz and the people working here have a profound sense of pride in what they achieve.
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 will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.
STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours.
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
We are seeking a hard-working and dedicated physics undergraduate with a keen interest in Optics and Laser Technology to join our team and contribute to the success of the EPAC project. The successful candidate will be involved in the development and optimization of the short pulse (30 femtosecond) petawatt laser beamline and will involve:
* Commissioning of state-of-the-art high power laser systems for research including optomechanical installation, data acquisition, and optimisation.
* Diagnostics alignment, development and verification of short-pulse output.
* Computational work for laser design and simulation including MATLAB and Opticstudio.
* Technical and scientific writing required to document progress and produce reports.
* Work with technical equipment such as commercial lasers, oscilloscopes, optical fibres, spectrometers, cameras.
* Operation of the laser system to support the research team and user experiments.
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Key - Shortlisting (S), at 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 2025 (S)
* Minimum of two years of degree course in physics, or a closely related subject, with grades corresponding to a 2:1 or higher (S)
* A-level Maths or equivalent (S)
* A-level Physics or equivalent (S)
Desirable:
* Knowledge of basic optics (S&I)
* Experimental physics laboratory course (S&I)
* Knowledge of one programming language (e.g. Visual Basic, C++, MATLAB) (S&I)
* Knowledge of laser/optical theory (S&I)
* Further Maths (S&I)
* Physics knowledge (S&I)
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 ofapplications have been received.
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