UK Research and Innovation
Polarized neutrons 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.
The ISIS Neutron & Muon Instrument Development group (NMIDG) was formed in 2019 to develop new instrumentation and simulation methods and to provide staff training and advice. Within NMIDG, the Polarized Neutrons section, that is currently consists of two scientists and one technician, is responsible for the development of new polarized instrumentation and software, as well as the provision of polarized infrastructure for several instruments.
A neutron beam is called polarized when the spins of the neutrons are dominantly aligned in the same direction. Such beams can be used to improve the information gained from scattering experiments, by, for example, enabling the separation of the different scattering processes that contribute to the overall signal (see e.g. https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/SH20_PLET.aspx ). Typically, application of neutron polarization analysis on an instrument requires the installation of several additional components, including a polarizer to prepare the polarized incident beam and an analyzer to distinguish the change in beam polarization after scattering from the sample. A commonly used technology for both is hyperpolarized 3He spin-filter. It constitutes a vessel that contains 3He gas with a high atomic polarization, where, as for polarized neutron beams, the atomic spins in the gas are preferentially aligned. 3He spin filters exploit the fact that a 3He atom in a particular spin state absorbs neutrons with the opposite spin state, and thus, that a volume of polarized 3He gas will transmit only one spin state of the neutron beam.
3He polarization decays with time. One of the key contributions to it is related to the walls of the spin-filter vessel (typically made of glass). While the exact physical mechanisms are poorly understood, surface adsorption, magnetic defects, and surface chemistry are all thought to play important roles. Recently we have launched a project to prepare spin filter cells from materials that are cleaner and more reproducible than glass, like single crystal silicon. In particular, it includes the first systematic study of characteristics and treatment of the cell walls in relation to the spin filter performance. Currently we are looking for an independent and motivated placement student to carry out research and development work towards the goal of further improving 3He cell performance.
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.
The ISIS Neutron & Muon Instrument Development group (NMIDG) was formed in 2019 to develop new instrumentation and simulation methods and to provide staff training and advice. Within NMIDG, the Polarized Neutrons section, that is currently consists of two scientists and one technician, is responsible for the development of new polarized instrumentation and software, as well as the provision of polarized infrastructure for several instruments.
A neutron beam is called polarized when the spins of the neutrons are dominantly aligned in the same direction. Such beams can be used to improve the information gained from scattering experiments, by, for example, enabling the separation of the different scattering processes that contribute to the overall signal (see e.g. https://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/Pages/SH20_PLET.aspx ). Typically, application of neutron polarization analysis on an instrument requires the installation of several additional components, including a polarizer to prepare the polarized incident beam and an analyzer to distinguish the change in beam polarization after scattering from the sample. A commonly used technology for both is hyperpolarized 3He spin-filter. It constitutes a vessel that contains 3He gas with a high atomic polarization, where, as for polarized neutron beams, the atomic spins in the gas are preferentially aligned. 3He spin filters exploit the fact that a 3He atom in a particular spin state absorbs neutrons with the opposite spin state, and thus, that a volume of polarized 3He gas will transmit only one spin state of the neutron beam.
3He polarization decays with time. One of the key contributions to it is related to the walls of the spin-filter vessel (typically made of glass). While the exact physical mechanisms are poorly understood, surface adsorption, magnetic defects, and surface chemistry are all thought to play important roles. Recently we have launched a project to prepare spin filter cells from materials that are cleaner and more reproducible than glass, like single crystal silicon. In particular, it includes the first systematic study of characteristics and treatment of the cell walls in relation to the spin filter performance. Currently we are looking for an independent and motivated placement student to carry out research and development work towards the goal of further improving 3He cell performance.
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
- The previous placement student has developed a chamber for in-situ X-ray and neutron reflectometry study of silicon wafers coated by alkali metal. The next stage of the project will include a detailed reflectometry study of various protocols for the alkali metal coating on the silicon substrate and their influence on the decay of the 3He polarization.
- If successful, the obtained knowledge will be used to improve both existing and future 3He cells to be deployed on the Larmor and LET instruments at ISIS.
- In addition to the above, you will also have the opportunity to take part in other Polarized Neutrons section activities, including experimental support on neutron instruments. Full scientific and technical support will be provided during the placement.
- You will be also able to present the results of your work in the scientific meeting and/or seminars, for example at the UK Neutron & Muon Science and User Meeting (NMSUM). The work of our previous placement student presented at NMSUM-2024 won a student poster prize.
- Given the variety of activities the Polarized Neutrons section is involved in, the working environment is dynamic and sometimes fast paced. This makes for a team culture where creativity, independence, and a sense of adventure are valued. At the same time, you will be working in a small, friendly, and tight-knit group where you will be valued as a full member of the team.
To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:
Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential:
- Currently be enrolled on an undergraduate degree course (S)
- Be required or have requested to take a 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)
- Studying for a degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science or similar (S)
- Evidence of good laboratory skills (S&I)
- Basic knowledge of scripting/programming (S&I)
- Good written and oral communication skills (S&I)
- Willingness to learn required technical and non-technical skills (I)
- Ability to work as part of a team, as well as on own initiative (S&I)
- Basic awareness of the project context and of physical principles underlying project (S&I)
- Basic knowledge of NMR techniques (S&I)
- Basic knowledge of surface chemistry and surface characterisation techniques e.g. Atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, X-ray reflectometry (S&I)
- Evidence of ability to work independently, via e.g. a summer internship (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 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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