Senior Accelerator Physicist

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £39748 to £44166 per annum (dependent on skills and experience). A Specialist Allowance of up to £3000 per annum is also available for this role.

Hours: Full time

Contract Type: Open Ended.

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

ISIS is the spallation neutron source located at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the UK. The accelerator facility delivers high intensity proton beams to two target stations to generate neutrons for condensed matter research. Operation and development of the accelerators requires advanced knowledge of beam dynamics and high levels of beam control. The Synchrotron group is looking for an accelerator physicist to join the team to undertake a substantial role in accelerator physics R&D and design work for next generation accelerator facilities, as well as supporting ISIS operations and developments.

List of Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead topical areas of the accelerator physics R&D program, undertake research into high intensity proton beams. Apply results to optimisation of the existing and future machines.
• Learn how to operate the ISIS accelerator facilities and then join the team in setting up the high intensity beams for each user run. Involvement in experimental studies.
• Lead topical R&D areas of the ISIS II upgrade accelerator physics project designing new machines.
• Produce reports, publications and present work at both internal, external and international events.
• Willingness to travel to conferences and for collaboration work both within the UK and internationally.
• To be able to work outside normal hours and be willing to take part in “on call” work as an when required.
• Work will also involve occasional time in radiation areas requiring the candidate to be a classified radiation worker.

Personal Skills and Attributes

Essential:

• Good BSc or MPhys degree in physics
• PhD in relevant accelerator physics topics, or equivalent expertise
• Good knowledge of accelerator physics and related basic physics
• Relevant experience and demonstrated skills on practical or simulation physics R&D projects
• Good numerical and programming skills
• A genuine interest and enthusiasm for physics, particularly accelerator physics
• Ability to understand and solve challenging technical problems
• Ability to work individually or as part of a team.
• Be or become a classified radiation worker
• Willingness to occasionally work overtime or extended hours and to be “on-call” to support ISIS when suitably trained
• Participate in an on call rota
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely at all levels
• Willingness to travel overseas to attend conferences and workshops and present research material

Desirable:

• Experience in beam operations and optimization at an accelerator facility
• Experience with, and responsibility for developing, accelerator physics R&D projects
• Working knowledge and skills in programming languages: e.g. FORTRAN, Python, C++
• Experience with beam dynamics, EM simulation and modelling codes
• Demonstrated skills in experimental work, including real world acquisition of data and its interpretation, beam measurements
• Knowledge of beam dynamics issues for high intensity hadron beams
• Staff management experience
• Resource and project management skills

The candidate is expected to be highly motivated and able to work individually and as part of a multi-disciplinary team with excellent written and oral communication skills. Work will require the ability to understand and solve challenging technical problems. Staff management and project management experience would be beneficial. Ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines. 

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ 

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ 

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

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 disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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. 

Additional Information

• Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) – ISIS
• Contract Type: Open Ended
• External Closing Date: Jan 29, 2023
• Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 39,748
• Hours: Full-time / Part-time

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