UK Research and Innovation
Mechanical Engineer for stress rig Industrial Placement
Job Location
Didcot, United Kingdom
Job Description
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary : £23,328 per annum
Hours : Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
Location : Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 20th October 2024
Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed)
Start date: September 2025
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
At the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, located on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site, the Engineering and Imaging Group operates two instruments, ENGIN-X and IMAT, that employ neutron radiation for a wide array of experiments in materials science, engineering, physics, and chemistry. Annually, the group supports approximately 100 experiments, either independently or in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Specifically, the ENGIN-X beamline, a diffraction instrument for materials science, materials processing, and engineering, has been operational for over 20 years. Experiments usually measure elastic strain, crystal orientations (texture), or phase transformations, similar to X-ray diffraction, albeit on real, bulk-scale engineering components rather than just powder samples owing to neutrons' greater penetration ability. IMAT, on the other hand, focuses on neutron imaging, with which one can perform radiography and tomography of a large variety of samples, with overlapping use cases with ENGIN-X and, depending on the technique, with similar information at a higher spatial resolution. IMAT is capable of diffraction ('Bragg edge') imaging and will have diffraction detectors installed in 2025 thus adding extra diffraction analysis options.
A key factor for running innovative experiments is the availability and performances of advanced sample environment, such as deformation rigs. Such a rig is a device used to pull or twist a specimen in a very controlled way while at the same time providing unobstructed access to the neutron radiation used as a probe. The current suite of deformation rigs at ENGIN-X is quite dated and in need of refurbishing. On top of that, the availability of an innovative deformation rigs that can be easily transported and mounted interchangeably at IMAT and at ENGIN-X could be the key to running combined diffraction and imaging experiments at an unprecedented level of detail.
This project aims at carefully assessing the current status of the suite of deformation rigs available at ENGIN-X, as well as setting up the technical requirements needed to perform the most ground breaking experiments in the field. After this preliminary phase, the student will perform a "market survey" to verify what can be obtained from commercial partners and what would be necessary to allow for a seamless installation of an upgraded rig in both ENGIN-X and IMAT. Finally, the student will be tasked to perform a conceptual design based on the findings of the survey and the identified scientific and technical requirements. To competently perform all of these tasks, there will be opportunities for the student to participate at diffraction and imaging beamtimes and gain hands-on experience on what the experiments entail.
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. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here .
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
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
Location: Didcot, GB
Posted Date: 9/19/2024
Salary : £23,328 per annum
Hours : Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (12 months)
Location : Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing date: 20th October 2024
Interview date: December 2024/January 2025 (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed)
Start date: September 2025
Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.
At the ISIS Pulsed Neutron and Muon Source, located on the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory site, the Engineering and Imaging Group operates two instruments, ENGIN-X and IMAT, that employ neutron radiation for a wide array of experiments in materials science, engineering, physics, and chemistry. Annually, the group supports approximately 100 experiments, either independently or in collaboration with academic and industrial partners. Specifically, the ENGIN-X beamline, a diffraction instrument for materials science, materials processing, and engineering, has been operational for over 20 years. Experiments usually measure elastic strain, crystal orientations (texture), or phase transformations, similar to X-ray diffraction, albeit on real, bulk-scale engineering components rather than just powder samples owing to neutrons' greater penetration ability. IMAT, on the other hand, focuses on neutron imaging, with which one can perform radiography and tomography of a large variety of samples, with overlapping use cases with ENGIN-X and, depending on the technique, with similar information at a higher spatial resolution. IMAT is capable of diffraction ('Bragg edge') imaging and will have diffraction detectors installed in 2025 thus adding extra diffraction analysis options.
A key factor for running innovative experiments is the availability and performances of advanced sample environment, such as deformation rigs. Such a rig is a device used to pull or twist a specimen in a very controlled way while at the same time providing unobstructed access to the neutron radiation used as a probe. The current suite of deformation rigs at ENGIN-X is quite dated and in need of refurbishing. On top of that, the availability of an innovative deformation rigs that can be easily transported and mounted interchangeably at IMAT and at ENGIN-X could be the key to running combined diffraction and imaging experiments at an unprecedented level of detail.
This project aims at carefully assessing the current status of the suite of deformation rigs available at ENGIN-X, as well as setting up the technical requirements needed to perform the most ground breaking experiments in the field. After this preliminary phase, the student will perform a "market survey" to verify what can be obtained from commercial partners and what would be necessary to allow for a seamless installation of an upgraded rig in both ENGIN-X and IMAT. Finally, the student will be tasked to perform a conceptual design based on the findings of the survey and the identified scientific and technical requirements. To competently perform all of these tasks, there will be opportunities for the student to participate at diffraction and imaging beamtimes and gain hands-on experience on what the experiments entail.
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. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here .
About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities
- Become familiar with the experimental setups and requirements of typical imaging and diffraction experiments
- Assess the status of the current portfolio of deformation rigs available at ENGIN-X, with specific respect to the fulfilment of the above-mentioned requirements and identifying capability gaps
- Perform a market survey of what is available on the market
- Produce a list of specs and requirements, taking into account the upgradability of the system with ancillary characterization techniques (DIC, acoustic emission etc.)
- Together with relevant stakeholders, make a reasonably achievable plan of targeted hardware acquisitions to maximise scientific output
- Perform a conceptual design of the identified solution(s) in an iterative way together with the relevant stakeholders
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)
- Good understanding of properties of metals and of mechanical engineering (S)
- Familiarity with mechanical loading tests of materials (S)
- Interest in (non-destructive) testing methods (I)
- Good communication skills for working together with numerous stakeholders (I)
- Some knowledge of X-ray or neutron diffraction (S)
- Personal interest in aspects of materials science and engineering such as 3D printing, failure investigation or environmental sustainability, even if not connected to degree programme. (I)
- Interest or practical skills in photography or any kind of craftwork. (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 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) - ISIS
- Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
- External Closing Date: Oct 20, 2024
- Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 23,328
- Hours: Full-time
Location: Didcot, GB
Posted Date: 9/19/2024
Contact Information
| Contact | Human Resources UK Research and Innovation |
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