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- Tasks: Join a team to develop deuterated compounds for cutting-edge battery research.
- Company: Be part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, a leader in scientific innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 30 days holiday, flexible hours, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in research while gaining hands-on experience in synthetic chemistry.
- Qualifications: Must be a chemistry undergraduate with practical lab experience and a passion for science.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with mentoring and support from experienced professionals.
The predicted salary is between 19900 - 20000 £ per year.
Overview
Job Description
Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
Salary: £24,961 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 37 hours
Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12 months
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
Closing Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025
Interview Date: Dec 2025 / Jan 2026
Start Date: September 2026
This industrial placement offers an exciting opportunity for a chemistry undergraduate to join the Deuteration Facility, a specialist team that supports cutting-edge research in neutron scattering. Deuteration is a powerful technique that replaces hydrogen atoms with deuterium to help scientists study the structure and behaviour of complex molecules—something that\\\’s not possible with conventional methods. While some deuterated compounds are commercially available, many of the materials needed by researchers are not, and that\\\’s where our team comes in.
During this placement, you\\\’ll be part of a friendly and collaborative group of chemists who are passionate about sharing knowledge and supporting each other. You\\\’ll receive hands-on training in synthetic chemistry techniques, work on real projects that contribute to active research programmes and be supported through mentoring and regular feedback. This is a great opportunity to apply your degree knowledge in a practical setting, develop new lab skills, and gain insight into how chemistry is used in a national research facility.
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. With an STFC Industrial Placement you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.
We\\\’ll provide challenges that match your skills, and each placement is a unique opportunity to pursue your career interests. 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
With the world increasingly focused on clean energy solutions, battery storage technology has become a critical area of research. In line with the ISIS Science Strategy, this project supports the growing demand for deuterated compounds to enhance neutron scattering experiments on battery materials. Working closely with the Disordered Materials, Crystallography, and Molecular Spectroscopy groups, the student will contribute to the synthesis and purification of high-purity deuterated solvents, such as methyl ethyl carbonate, which are not readily available commercially.
This placement forms part of a long-term initiative to expand the Deuteration Facility\\\’s compound catalogue and improve the quality of materials available to the scientific community.
Key Duties & Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing and optimising synthetic routes for deuterated solvents relevant to battery research.
- Support the design and execution of purification strategies to achieve high-purity products.
- Carry out laboratory work under supervision, including reaction setup, monitoring, and product isolation.
- Maintain accurate experimental records and contribute to data analysis and reporting.
- Collaborate with team members and other science groups to align synthesis efforts with experimental needs.
- Participate in regular team meetings and receive mentoring and training in synthetic chemistry techniques.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential:
- Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree in a Chemistry and is on track for a 2:1 or higher 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 2026 (S)
- Synthetic Chemistry practical experience (S&I)
- Experience with standard purification techniques such as distillation, chromatography (S)
- Experience with analysing reaction outcome, e.g. NMR, LCMS, GCMS (S&I)
- Familiar with COSHH and risk assessments (S&I)
Desirable:
- Knowledge of good laboratory practice gained from previous laboratory experience (S)
- Experience with chemical databases, e.g. Scifinder, Reaxys, Web of Science (S)
Employee Benefits:
- 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
- Flexible working hours.
- An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.
- Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking.
- Excellent learning and development opportunities.
- Cycle to work scheme.
Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-benefits/
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
Application Guidance
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.
Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.
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!
About Us
UKRI – UK Research and Innovation
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.
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 applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. 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.
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.
About the Team
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.
One of Europe\\\’s largest research organisations, we\\\’re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we\\\’re driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
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Deuteration Chemist Industrial Placement employer: UKRI
Contact Detail:
UKRI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Deuteration Chemist Industrial Placement
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your university's alumni or professors who might have connections in the industry. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities you wouldn't find on job boards.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research common questions for chemists and practice your answers. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online resources to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, let your enthusiasm for chemistry and deuteration shine through. It’s not just about skills; they want to see your excitement for the field!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to keep track of your applications that way!
We think you need these skills to ace Deuteration Chemist Industrial Placement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Deuteration Chemist role. Highlight your relevant skills and experiences, especially in synthetic chemistry and purification techniques. We want to see how you fit into our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should be more than just a formality. Use it to showcase your passion for chemistry and explain how your background aligns with the essential criteria. Let us know why you're excited about this opportunity!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, clarity is key. Avoid jargon and keep your language straightforward. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point—just like good lab notes!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your documents correctly. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application easily.
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Chemistry
Brush up on your synthetic chemistry knowledge, especially around deuterated compounds. Be ready to discuss your practical experience with techniques like distillation and chromatography, as these will likely come up during the interview.
✨Show Your Passion for Research
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for the field of chemistry and how it relates to real-world applications, particularly in battery research. Share any relevant projects or experiences that highlight your interest in advancing scientific knowledge.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to your understanding of purification strategies and data analysis methods like NMR or LCMS. Practise explaining these concepts clearly, as this will show your depth of knowledge and ability to communicate effectively.
✨Engage with the Team Spirit
Since the role involves collaboration, be prepared to discuss how you work in teams. Share examples of past experiences where you contributed to group projects or supported your peers, highlighting your ability to fit into their friendly and collaborative environment.
