At a Glance
- Tasks: Join our Radiation Diagnostics Team to develop cutting-edge diagnostic instruments and support experimental facilities.
- Company: AWE is a leading organisation focused on world-class technology development in the field of physics.
- Benefits: Enjoy a 9-day working fortnight, generous leave, and a market-leading pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of groundbreaking projects and collaborate internationally while advancing your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: A degree in Physics; a PhD or relevant experience is a plus. Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.
- Other info: Limited remote work; travel for conferences and trials may be required.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: RG7 4PR, located between Reading and Basingstoke, with free onsite parking. Due to the classified nature of the work involved, there are limited opportunities to work from home in this role. It is anticipated that the successful candidate will spend the majority of their time working on site at AWE Aldermaston.
Package: £38,020 - £47,500 (depending on your suitability, qualifications, and level of experience). Working pattern: AWE operates a 9-day working fortnight. We will consider flexible working requests so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know your preferred working pattern on your application.
AWE is recruiting for an Experimental Physicist for the Radiation Diagnostics Team within the Technology Development Group. This is at a time where we are developing our capability to world class standards. AWE have an existing light ion accelerator used to deliver high energy neutrons for internal and external customers, and are looking to replace this accelerator with new capabilities utilising the latest technologies. The successful candidate would be hired at the inception of this new project stage and help to develop it from a proposal to reality.
As an applied scientist in the Radiation Diagnostics team, you will become a key part of the team maintaining, developing and running diagnostic instruments. You would be involved in (and potentially lead) projects to bring new instruments from requirements to realisation in support of experimental facilities. This will involve theoretical and computational modelling of instruments, design of hardware, data collection, analysis of data and feedback to customers, as well as experimental testing and characterisation of future and existing instrumentation.
As part of developing our capabilities to world class standards for both internal and external customers, you will be supporting national and international collaborations with AWE's partners in and out of the United Kingdom. This collaboration will entail travel outside of AWE for conferences and experimental trials at UK and international facilities.
Who are we looking for? We do need you to have the following:
- A degree in Physics, and a PhD or relevant post-graduate experience would be beneficial for this role.
- Strong communication skills, verbal and written, excellent team working ability, proactive, and highly organised.
- Willing to travel and work at other UK and overseas sites as required.
Whilst not to be considered a tick list, we'd like you to have experience in some of the following:
- Working in an academic laboratory or industrial setting
- Experience in one or more of the following technical areas:
- Radiation transport modelling
- Nuclear physics
- Diagnostic instrument development and design
- Robotics and automation
- Use of machine learning techniques and tools
- Programming language such as Python or C++
You’ll need to have the ability to work calmly and constructively in a priority changing environment and be able to manage your own workload. You will also have initiative, enthusiasm, a flexible approach, and ability to work to tight deadlines.
Some reasons we think you’ll love it here:
- AWE has wide range of benefits to suit you. These include:
- 9-day working fortnight - meaning you get every other Friday off work, in addition to 270 hours of annual leave.
- Market leading contributory pension scheme (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your contributions).
- Family friendly policies: Maternity Leave - 39 Weeks Full Pay and Paternity Leave - 4 Weeks Full Pay.
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development including funding for annual membership of a relevant professional body.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Life Assurance (4 x annual salary).
- Discounts - access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending.
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring.
The 'Working at AWE' page on our website is where you can find full details in the 'AWE Benefits Guide'.
Contact Detail:
New Scientist Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Experimental Physicist
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest advancements in radiation diagnostics and related technologies. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field of experimental physics, especially those involved in radiation transport modelling or diagnostic instrument development. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or recommendations.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with programming languages like Python or C++. Be ready to provide examples of how you've used these skills in past projects, as technical proficiency is crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to work collaboratively by highlighting any team projects you've been involved in. AWE values strong communication and teamwork, so be prepared to discuss how you've contributed to successful outcomes in group settings.
We think you need these skills to ace Experimental Physicist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in experimental physics, particularly in areas like radiation transport modelling and diagnostic instrument development. Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills and achievements.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that not only outlines your qualifications but also expresses your enthusiasm for the role at AWE. Mention how your background aligns with their goals, especially regarding the development of new technologies.
Highlight Communication Skills: Since strong communication skills are essential for this role, provide examples in your application that showcase your ability to work in teams and convey complex information clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Mention Flexibility and Travel Willingness: Acknowledge your willingness to travel and adapt to different working patterns in your application. This shows that you are open to the demands of the role and can fit into AWE's working culture.
How to prepare for a job interview at New Scientist
✨Showcase Your Technical Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience in radiation transport modelling, nuclear physics, and diagnostic instrument development. Highlight specific projects you've worked on and the technologies you've used, such as Python or C++, to demonstrate your technical skills.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Communication Skills
Since the role involves collaboration with both internal teams and international partners, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully worked in a team. Discuss your communication style and how you ensure clarity when sharing complex information.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Abilities
Prepare to discuss situations where you've had to think critically and solve problems under pressure. AWE values candidates who can manage their workload effectively, so provide examples of how you've prioritised tasks and met tight deadlines.
✨Express Your Enthusiasm for Travel and Collaboration
Since the role requires travel for conferences and experimental trials, express your willingness and excitement about working at various UK and international sites. Share any previous experiences that highlight your adaptability and eagerness to collaborate with diverse teams.