Salary: £78,893 per annum Band G S1
Benefits: 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + 2.5 privilege days + exceptional defined average salary pension + excellent work life balance
Location: Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington, WA4 4AD
Contract: Permanent / Hours: Full / Part Time
Closing date for applications: 14th March 2025
STFC’s Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) mission is to build the ‘Big Science’ facilities of the future; we design, build and operate particle accelerators and make major contributions to many of the biggest projects in the world today, working with high-profile national and international partners. STFC encourages our staff to undertake world-leading work in a diverse and inclusive environment.
The ASTeC Vacuum Solutions Group at Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington is a multidisciplinary team of experts focused on delivering a wide range of projects. The main function of the team is to deliver vacuum system design and build for particle accelerator projects and to carry out the necessary research & development associated with delivering extraordinary facilities.
As our Principal Materials Engineer, you will be expected to drive the group's thin film material and coating developments and delivery of material technologies that are critical for our current and future accelerators to operate. As task leader across several projects, you will lead the development of the specifications, design, procurement, commissioning, operation and delivery of material solutions and analysis to meet our project needs. You will lead the rapidly growing team of engineering, scientific and technical staff delivering across the portfolio. You will provide leadership in the specialist interactions with other institutes, nationally and internationally, and with industry. In particular, the role will entail providing technical materials and coatings for UKRI priority projects such as CLARA, ISIS-II, UK XFEL, RUEDI, and PIP II, whilst also providing solutions to commercial challenges.
The role will engage with the delivery of the next generation of national and international accelerator projects and as part of the Vacuum Solutions Group you will be an integral part of world leading technology development and delivery, enabling society enhancement and progression putting the UK at the forefront of world leading science.
The successful candidate will be required to lead and be responsible for:
1. Ongoing delivery and development of specialist materials and coatings that are needed for our accelerators to operate (e.g. robust high quantum efficiency photocathodes, non-evaporable getter coatings, thin film superconducting RF (TF-SRF) cavities).
2. Enhancing the performance of TF-SRF cavities to meet the needs of UK XFEL, ISIS-II and other world leading accelerator projects through international task leadership for two Horizon Europe projects (iSAS and IFAST) and our collaboration with DAE India.
3. A specialist team responsible for development, procurement, commissioning and operation of novel material systems and material analysis suite.
4. Lead material deposition programmes for surface modification and engineering to enhance the reliability and performance of our accelerators.
5. To develop and implement innovative material deposition systems, in order to enable enhanced application performance capability.
6. Line management and resource planning of a team of engineers and technicians to meet current and future departmental requirements.
7. Sharing your team’s work through presentations, reports & scientific papers with peers and collaborators at internal, national and international meetings.
8. You will work closely with other vacuum and accelerator engineers and scientists, mechanical designers, and external industries and contractors to continuously develop and improve these vacuum technology systems.
Knowledge and experience:
Essential:
1. PhD in Vacuum Engineering or Materials or equivalent subject (S)
2. Extensive practical experience working within the field of particle accelerator vacuum engineering [S&I]
3. Experience with material deposition techniques, such as PVD (HIPIMS/DC/RF), CVD, ALD, etc [S&I]
4. Experience with appropriate materials analysis techniques, facilities and instrumentation, such as RBS, MEIS, SEM, XPS, Auger, XRD, SIMS, EDS etc [S&I]
5. Experience of materials and/or coatings delivery essential for accelerators to operate [S&I]
6. Experience of managing and leading technical teams and individuals [S&I]
Personal attributes:
You will have a keen curiosity about the application of materials and surface engineering. You will have a passion for the practical delivery of specialist materials and coatings for world leading applications and research into improving their performance. You will have proven experience of lab safety and be comfortable & confident developing a team whilst carrying out your own research tasks independently. There will be a requirement to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.
Beneficial transferable skills:
Previously resolved commercial/industrial challenges utilising novel thin film techniques. Qualification in project management. Knowledge of working with Government procurement processes and budget management. Past experience of training and mentoring early careers scientists and engineers.
Benefits
We are offering permanent positions with a whole host of benefits including:
1. 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
2. Flexible working hours.
3. An excellent average salary pension scheme.
4. Employee shopping/travel discounts.
5. Excellent learning and development opportunities.
Visa sponsorship - Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.
We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are invested in creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all. In this regard, we encourage applications from under-represented groups.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, 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?
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.
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