🚀 Internship
Experimental Science Group Laser Plasma Industrial Placement
UK Research and Innovation
•
7d ago
🚀 Placement Program
Oxford
🤑 £21.6K
AI generated summary
- Candidate must have a strong understanding of basic physics concepts, practical laboratory skills, good communication and team working capabilities, motivation, problem-solving skills, computer programming experience, research laboratory experience, knowledge of laser/optical/plasma physics, and customer facing experience.
- The candidate will actively contribute to the development and upgrading of the laser plasma facility, with a focus on projects related to new diagnostics and equipment. This will involve designing and constructing hardware, as well as software development, and the opportunity to contribute project ideas based on their skills and interests.
Description
- Two large-scale laser systems are currently being upgraded and built at the Central Laser Facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, UK. Vulcan 2020 will increase the existing Vulcan Laser capability to become a 20 Petawatt laser system, which would make it the most powerful laser in the world. The Extreme Photonics Applications Centre (EPAC) will be a 1 PW 10 Hz system to allow high average energy laser physics.
- The high intensity laser interactions achieved by these systems will allow scientists to carry out fundamental experiments exploring laboratory astrophysics, fusion mechanisms for energy and photo-induced nuclear reactions. During the interaction laser energy can also be converted to other forms of radiation and the mechanisms by which this is done are investigated with experiments on ion source development for medical application and x-ray source development for ultra-fast imaging.
- The extreme conditions produced require dedicated Interaction Areas where the experiments are setup and Vulcan is fired into. The Experimental Science Group will help to design, develop, and build these. In this role you will learn about experimental laser-plasma physics. You will help to develop and characterise diagnostics, design aspects of the new target areas and carry out your own small-scale experiments.
Requirements
- Candidates must have a good grasp of basic physics concepts (e.g. optics, electromagnetism). The ideal applicant would have an interest in this field, and demonstrate knowledge above the expected undergraduate level. Lab experience beyond standard undergraduate labs is highly desirable. They should be self-motivated and have the ability to work autonomously as well as within a small team.
- Drive and an enthusiasm for science are definitely a positive attribute, and good communication skills are vital. Previous experience in a customer facing environment and the ability to manage self and others would also be beneficial. The post holder must be computer literate, having at least a working knowledge of MS Office applications. An interest and previous experience in programming is useful, but not essential.
- In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:
- Essential
- Currently be enrolled on an undergraduate degree course
- Be required or have requested to take a placement year
- Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement
- Good understanding of basic physics concepts (optics, electromagnetism, lasers)
- Experimental, physics focused laboratory course
- Practical laboratory skills, relevant to the optics (this will be tested by an exercise)
- Effective communication skills
- Demonstrate good team working capabilities
- Highly motivated and able to work independently
- Good problem-solving skills
- Desirable
- Computer programming experience (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C++,)
- Experience working in a research or research laboratory environment
- Knowledge of laser/optical/plasma physics theory and modelling techniques/software
- Have customer facing experience
Education requirements
Currently Studying
Undergraduate
Area of Responsibilities
Research & Development
Science
Responsibilities
- Successful applicants for these positions will help work on upgrading the facility. Time within the role will mainly be focused on development projects.
- The post holder will directly contribute to the development, testing and integration of new diagnostics and equipment. This may involve designing and constructing hardware, and/or software development. You are encouraged to contribute project ideas corresponding to your skills and interests.
Details
Work type
Full time
Work mode
office
Application deadline
Oct 29, 2023
Location
Oxford
Salary
21600 GBP