At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team developing advanced radiation instrumentation and detector technologies.
- Company: Tracerco, a global leader in industrial technology with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, opportunities for research, and collaboration with diverse teams.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the field of physics and technology.
- Qualifications: Degree in Physics or related field; experience in simulation and signal processing.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 60000 £ per year.
Tracerco is a world-leading industrial technology company providing companies all over the world with the insights they need to make informed decisions about their operations. Our expertise allows customers to operate more productively, effectively and safely. With offices across six continents, Tracerco is a global leader with local values.
The Role
Tracerco are seeking an experienced Research Physicist to join our Product Development and Innovation Department working on the development of advanced radiation instrumentation and detector technologies. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to a range of research and development projects from radiation instrumentation concept through to CT design, signal processing and image reconstruction. Radiation transport simulation is central to the role and will drive forward research and support colleagues across the business with physics-based analysis and modelling. In addition, the Physics team are seeking an individual with radiation signal processing experience to contribute to the design and implementation of optimal radiation detectors for application within radiation instruments. The role involves working in close collaboration with inter-disciplinary teams to translate fundamental physics into practical detector and instrumentation solutions. Physicists are required to engage with the full development chain from understanding of customer and commercial requirements, early-stage concept evaluation and feasibility assessment all the way through development to characterisation, validation and performance optimisation.
Key Responsibilities
- Simulation and Radiation Physics
- Maintain and develop Monte Carlo simulations of radiation transport, scatter and detector response using GATE and/or GEANT4
- Model radioactive source and decay characteristics
- Simulate scatter distributions and provide input into the design of anti-scatter correction hardware and algorithms for instrumentation
- Support the optimisation of CT system geometry, source parameters and detector design
- Develop and validate detector response models to support instrumentation design optimisation
- Provide simulation-based analysis for new and ongoing investigations through detector concept evaluation, geometry optimization and shielding assessment
- Detector Signal Physics
- Characterise and design signal chains from initial interaction through to digital output
- Liaise with electronics engineers to translate detector physics requirements into signal processing specifications
- Support detector design and array development by providing an understanding of the signal chain
- Develop physics-informed correction algorithms for detector imperfections including scintillator afterglow, gain non-uniformity and pixel crosstalk
- Work closely with CT reconstruction development team to optimise the signal chain with reconstruction requirements and limitations in mind
- Develop an understanding of industrial inspection requirements
- Contribute to the translation of customer inspection requirements into system performance specifications
- General
- Work within cross-disciplinary teams to progress radiation instrumentation development and address customer requirements
- Create high quality technical reports and presentations
- Communicate technical results to technical and non-technical stakeholders, customers and business leaders
- Contribute to IP development
Qualifications
- Degree in Physics or a closely related discipline (MSc/MPhys or PhD preferred)
- Simulation and Radiation Physics
- Solid foundation in radiation physics including photon interactions, shielding, scatter and attenuation
- Hands‑on experience with Monte Carlo radiation transport simulation (GEANT4, GATE, MCNP or equivalent)
- Experience working with existing simulation models and developing them to tackle new problems
- Ability to validate simulation outputs against experimental measurement
- Detector Signal Processing
- Experience in signal processing for radiation detector systems
- Knowledge of detector signal formation flow from charge generation to readout and understanding of associated noise sources
- Experience characterising detector performance and developing correction algorithms for detector imperfections
- Ability to work in conjunction with electronics engineers by specifying requirements and interpreting test measurements in terms of underlying physics
- General
- Strong scientific programming skills e.g. Python, MATLAB or C++
- Ability to work collaboratively in cross-disciplinary teams
- Comfortable working to defined project deliverables and timelines
- Clear and effective scientific communication (written and verbal) for technical and non-technical audiences
- Experience working with scintillator‑based gamma detector systems
- Background in industrial CT, medical CT, or X‑ray imaging
- Knowledge of iterative image reconstruction methods and image quality metrics
- Familiarity with FPGA‑based digital signal processing
- Experience with GPU‑accelerated computing and application to algorithm development
Physicist in Billingham employer: Tracerco
At Tracerco, we pride ourselves on being a world-leading industrial technology company that values innovation and collaboration. As a Research Physicist, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to advancing radiation instrumentation and detector technologies, with ample opportunities for professional growth and development. Our inclusive work culture fosters creativity and teamwork, ensuring that every employee's contributions are recognised and valued, all while working in a global environment that maintains local values.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Physicist in Billingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the field of physics and radiation instrumentation. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, simulations, and any relevant research. This is your chance to demonstrate your expertise in Monte Carlo simulations and detector signal processing. We recommend having this ready when you land that interview!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for technical interviews by brushing up on your physics fundamentals and programming skills. Be ready to discuss your experience with GEANT4 or GATE, and how you’ve tackled real-world problems. We want you to shine and show them you’re the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. Let’s get you that dream job at Tracerco!
We think you need these skills to ace Physicist in Billingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Physicist role at Tracerco. Highlight your experience with radiation physics, simulation tools like GEANT4 or GATE, and any relevant projects you've worked on. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the role and how your background makes you a great fit. Don’t forget to mention your experience in detector signal processing and working in cross-disciplinary teams – that’s music to our ears!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:In your application, be sure to showcase your technical skills, especially in scientific programming languages like Python or MATLAB. We love seeing candidates who can communicate complex ideas clearly, so include examples of how you've done this in past roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role right there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Tracerco
✨Know Your Physics Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your radiation physics concepts, especially photon interactions and Monte Carlo simulations. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past projects, as this will show your depth of knowledge and practical experience.
✨Showcase Your Simulation Skills
Prepare to talk about your hands-on experience with simulation tools like GEANT4 or GATE. Bring examples of how you've developed or validated simulation models, and be ready to explain the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Communicate Clearly
Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms. You’ll likely need to communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, so being able to convey your ideas clearly is crucial. Consider preparing a few key points or stories that illustrate your communication skills.
✨Collaborate and Contribute
Highlight your experience working in cross-disciplinary teams. Be prepared to discuss how you've collaborated with electronics engineers or other professionals to translate physics requirements into practical solutions. This shows you can work well with others and contribute to team success.
