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Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £42,840 to £47,124 (Band D) or £53,818 to £59,199 (Band E) per annum (dependent on skills and experience)

Hours: Full time or Part time (minimum 30 hours per week)

Contract Type: Open Ended

Location: This role will be based at the Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire, due to the nature of the work.

Come and do the kind of engineering that made you want to be an engineer. Stretch your technical skills while building human understanding. Promote sustainability and create new materials. Alongside world-leading scientists and technologists, shape projects that improve lives in the UK and far beyond.

Put simply, come and discover the impact you can make when you’re equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best. 

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 pioneering 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. 

An exciting opportunity exists to join the CLF, to work on a new project called Vulcan 20-20. The Vulcan high power laser facility sits at the heart of the CLF, and for decades has been internationally recognised as a globally leading laser facility, providing access for UK and international researchers working on a wide range of topics in high energy density and plasma science. 

The CLF has recently secured funding for an ambitious £82M upgrade to the Vulcan facility (termed Vulcan 20-20) to increase its power to 20 PW, and its energy to 20 kJ. It will be the highest power laser in the world. We are looking for people like you to help design, build and maintain a wide range of engineering systems for Vulcan 20-20.

As a Mechanical Engineer your responsibilities will include either supporting (Band D) or leading (Band E) the following:

  • design of vacuum systems and hardware used in high vacuum
  • design of high purity gas systems and gas infrastructure
  • design of motion systems for large optics
  • design of chambers and structures
  • work package management and management of safety (Band D)
  • staff management, project management and management of safety (Band E)

You should be a self-motivated individual with excellent communication skills. The job involves working closely with research scientists, electrical engineers and leading university research groups from Europe and the UK. 

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 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.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant. 

Person Specification

The following criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential for Band D

  • HNC or HND, or equivalent degree (BEng), in mechanical engineering along with experience working in an engineering field (S) 
  • experience working in a mechanical engineering or multi-disciplinary engineering environment (S&I)
  • have an understanding of fundamental mechanical engineering principles, such as: Materials, Stress/Strain, Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer (I)
  • experience of CAD and producing manufacturing drawings (I)
  • able to multi-task and prioritise against a heavy workload and achieve demanding targets (I)
  • knowledge of safety related issues and procedures (I) 

To be considered for the higher band, in addition to the above criteria, you should also have:

Essential for Band E

  • HNC or HND, or equivalent degree (BEng), or MEng in mechanical engineering along with extensive experience working in an engineering field & evidence of responsibility (budgets/management/risk/safety) (S) 
  • ability to perform engineering calculations (I)
  • previous experience in the management of projects and/or people (I)

Additional Information

Early applications are encouraged as applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

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.

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) - Central Laser Facility
  • Contract Type: Open Ended
  • External Closing Date: Apr 7, 2024
  • Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 42,840
  • Hours: Full-time / Part-time
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Confirmed 18 hours ago. Posted 22 days ago.

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