Laser and Beam Transport Scientist - Vulcan

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

Come and discover the kind of impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world!

An exciting opportunity exists to join the Central Laser Facility (CLF), at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire, to work in a new project called Vulcan 20-20. The Vulcan high power laser facility sits at the heart of the CLF, and for decades has been internationally recognised as a globally leading laser facility, providing access for UK and international researchers working on a wide range of topics in high energy density and plasma science. 

The CLF has recently secured funding for an ambitious £82M upgrade to the Vulcan facility (termed Vulcan 20-20) to increase its power to 20 PW, and its energy to 20 kJ. It will be the highest power laser in the world. We are looking for a wide range of scientists with excellent technical skills to help design, build and deliver Vulcan 20-20.

As part of the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC), the CLF contains many state-of-the-art laser systems and experimental stations, along with expert scientists, engineers and technicians that work with academic and industry users to deliver science across a broad range of fields. The CLF has around 200 staff and it is a very friendly, outgoing, externally facing sort of place. 

About The Role

You will join the Vulcan 20-20 team and focus on the optical beam delivery throughout the upgraded Vulcan 20-20 facility. You will design and develop the optical systems required for the propagation of large optical beams from the laser to the experimental rooms.

The key areas of the role include:

• leading the design of laser beam transport from the end of the laser chain to the experimental area chamber, which might include modelling of the large optics and mechanics
• procurement of all the necessary components
• characterisation of the beam through the beam path
• leading the installation and commissioning of large area optical components
• collaborating closely with the laser, scientific and engineering teams to design key specialist equipment
• working closely with a team to deliver the beam transport

This is an excellent opportunity for you to gain experience of optical systems and laser science using high energetic beams with the newest generation of technology. 

About You

We encourage applications from individuals with relevant experience in optics, optical systems, lasers, adaptive optics or advanced instrumentation. Candidates with expertise in related fields such as photonics, spectroscopy, or experimental physics are also highly desirable.

You will have a PhD or equivalent experience in a relevant field, as well having postdoctoral experience in a relevant scientific area with a record of independent research or autonomous thinking. You should have good knowledge of optics or laser science and ideally experience in optical systems design.

With good interpersonal skills you should have the ability to work as part of a team of individuals with a varying range of knowledge and experience. It would be advantageous to have previous experience in either projects and/or managing teams.

What we offer

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

• 30 days holiday annually (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
• visa Sponsorship for candidates applying outside of the UK

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.

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.