Accelerator Physics Summer Placement in Warrington

STFC’s Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) undertakes particle accelerator research for current and future ‘Big Science’ facilities. We have experience in designing, commissioning, and operating particle accelerators, with an emphasis on developing designs for national research facilities. We are also a key partner within the world‑leading Cockcroft Institute and have a number of joint PhD students with them and other institutes.

We are looking for an undergraduate student to join the ASTeC Accelerator Physics group on an approximately 9‑week summer placement to research and model a detector for an ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) particle accelerator. UED is a powerful technique for the study of ultrafast atomic and molecular dynamics, used to advance our understanding of chemical, material and biological sciences. The role will involve the use of specialist particle‑tracking software to carry out simulations of a diffraction beamline and analyse different detector options.

During the placement you will receive training in a wide range of topics, including accelerator physics, electrodynamics, and numerical physics simulations. By getting involved with an active research group at a national research facility, you will gain useful experience towards achieving your choice of career in physics or engineering.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Complete an options analysis of various detector types and their achievable parameters.
• Develop a model of an electron diffraction detector through electron simulations and other calculations, employing specialist software and coding techniques.
• Build experience of working in a large‑scale physics research facility and contribute to ongoing design activities of an ultrafast electron diffraction machine.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I). In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

Essential

• You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies to complete your undergraduate degree once the summer placement has concluded (S).
• You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S).
• Practical experience or previous university study in physics or another science or an engineering discipline (S).
• Sound understanding of electrodynamics and special relativity (S&I).
• Practical experience of using python, Mathematica or similar software to solve physics problems and/or analyse data (S&I).
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team, and to organise and prioritise work (S&I).
• Ability to conduct independent research using scientific and technical literature (S&I).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to identify relevant technical information and communicate this to colleagues (S&I).

Desirable

• Practical experience or previous study in particle accelerator physics or particle detectors (S&I).

Employee Benefits

We are offering a fixed term position with a whole host of benefits including:

• 30 days holiday pro rata
• Flexible working hours.
• Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. 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.

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!