Salary: GBP39,375 - GBP43,313 Band D / GBP48,802 - GBP53,682 Band E (dependent on skills and experience).

Hours: Full time

Contract Type: Fixed term - 2 years

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist/Engineer. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. And, alongside world class engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real answers that shape society and improve lives.

Put simply, discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.

About the Team

The Low Energy Beams Group is responsible for providing beam 24/7 to the ISIS accelerator during user runs. In addition to our negative Penning ion sources we are also developing a state-of-the-art RF ion source. We develop plasma and accelerator technologies.

We are practically minded, building and developing our equipment on two accelerator front ends, an ion source lab, and an electronics lab. We use simulation and data analysis tools to guide our experiments and design choices.

About the Role

A 2-year fixed term position is open for a postdoctoral physicist with experience operating and developing plasma generators, ion sources and/or low energy beam systems. You will contribute to experimental and simulation studies of space charge compensation of high-current hydrogen ion beams (both positive and negative) in the low energy beam transport section of particle accelerators.

You will be expected to participate in development and operation of the Front End Test Stand (FETS) ion source, low energy beam line and radiofrequency quadrupole (RFQ) accelerator. Experience in any of the following is an advantage: vacuum systems, high voltage equipment, plasma generators and diagnostics, optical emission spectroscopy, ion sources, low energy ion beam diagnostics, programming, CAD, and multiphysics simulations.

The role will be reviewed per the follow criteria:

PhD in physics, engineering or related discipline or about to acquire such degree (to be completed by start date).

Demonstrated practical laboratory skills / experience of at least one of the following:

plasma sources

ion sources (positive or negative)

beam formation systems

low energy beam transport systems

ion beam diagnostics

optical emission spectroscopy.

Sufficient understanding of plasma diagnostics, ion sources and low energy beam transport.

Ability to perform calculations and simulations to guide hardware design and solve engineering problems.

Experience of developing scientific equipment, techniques, or software.

Ability to present research plans and outcomes to wide range of audiences.

What we offer

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

30 days holiday FTE (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days)

flexible working hours

an excellent defined average salary pension scheme

employee shopping/travel discounts

excellent learning and development opportunities

Plus many more benefits and wellbeing initiatives that enable our employees to have a great work life balance!

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

How to apply:

For full details on the role, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that clearly showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

Closing Date: 15th January 2024

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: GBP39,375.00-GBP53,682.00 per year

Work Location: In person