🚀 Internship
Laser-Plasma Diagnostics Industrial Placement
UK Research and Innovation
•
13d ago
🚀 Placement Program
Oxford
🤑 £21.6K
AI generated summary
- The candidate must be currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course, have a good understanding of physics concepts, practical laboratory skills, computer programming experience, effective communication skills, good team working capabilities, and be highly motivated and able to work independently. Completion or ongoing coursework in electromagnetism/optics is desirable.
- The successful candidate will work with the Experimental Science Group, building and developing diagnostics for laser-plasma interactions. They will collaborate with academic groups, contribute to research, and have opportunities to make genuine contributions to the field. The role requires autonomy, teamwork, and a responsible approach to health and safety.
Description
- The Central laser facility, within the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, is home to multiple high-power, high-intensity laser systems, such as Gemini, Vulcan and the upcoming facility EPAC. These facilities can generate extreme conditions of matter, varying from intense x-ray beams for imaging, to laboratory-scale astrophysics. Researchers from the UK, EU and around the world come to use our facilities to carry out a wide range of cutting-edge experiments into ultra-high intensity laser-plasma interactions.
- Our research program includes fundamental science exploring relativistic plasmas and laboratory astrophysics as well as fusion science and the production of energetic particle beams and novel radiation sources for applications such as advanced imaging applications in medicine, material science and industrial inspection. The upcoming EPAC facility is aiming to deliver fundamental scientific research capability as well as a unique and powerful radiation source for applications – these applications can range from x-ray computed tomography to neutron induced spectroscopy in the same facility.
- The Experimental Science Group at the CLF is looking for a talented and motivated placement student who enjoys a mix of theoretical and practical work to join our team.
Requirements
- Essential:
- Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course
- Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year
- Able to commence employment in summer 2024
- Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement
- Good understanding of basic physics concepts (electromagnetism, lasers, optics)
- Undergraduate experimental laboratory course
- Practical laboratory skills (I) - this will be tested by a laboratory exercise.
- Computer programming experience (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C++)
- Effective communication skills
- Demonstrate good team working capabilities
- Highly motivated and able to work independently
- Desirable:
- Completed/undergoing undergraduate electromagnetism/optics modules
Education requirements
Currently Studying
Undergraduate
Area of Responsibilities
Research & Development
Science
Responsibilities
- The successful applicant will join the Experimental Science Group, working the Applications team to build and develop diagnostics to characterise the bright multi-modal emission from laser-plasma interactions. These diagnostics will vary from imaging detectors to spectrometers of both photons and particles. Previous experience working with optics and cameras is desirable, but not essential. Initially, you will work closely with experienced team members to learn key skills and techniques before being expected to work more independently and direct their own work. However, some experience in a laboratory setting is assumed, and a basic understanding of the theory that underpins our work, i.e. lasers, optics, radiation mechanisms, and electromagnetic theory, is essential. The ideal applicant would be able to demonstrate an interest or knowledge of these topics beyond an undergraduate level.
- Diagnostic development requires a multitude of skills, both practical and theoretical, to deliver. From characterising the diagnostic with a known source, to estimating expected signal levels during an experiment and analysing the resultant data produced. We work closely with partners at TIFR Institutes in India through the EPIC programme, and academic groups across the UK/Europe, to develop complimentary diagnostics for a wide range of laser systems, experiments and applications. Through this role you will have the opportunity to collaborate with academic groups during their experiments on either Vulcan on Gemini, to test diagnostics or perform scientific measurements using a diagnostic. There is a real possibility to make a genuine contribution to research in this role, former students have appeared as authors on journal articles and many have gone on to PhD studies.
- Facility development projects generally involve design, construction, and testing of hardware and/or software to enhance the quality of the research carried out at the CLF. You would be fully encouraged to contribute your own ideas for development projects corresponding to your own skills and interests. Any experience in the design or building of technical equipment would be beneficial, but not critical, as we do enjoy a high level of engineering and technical support. The ability to keep accurate records, and clearly and concisely communicate ideas and results to the group is essential.
- Students are generally given a large amount of autonomy, so drive and enthusiasm is essential. Candidates should be self-motivated, with good time management and task prioritisation skills. Ultimately, however, the complexity of the work we do means that all projects require contribution from multiple individuals with different areas of expertise, so the ability to work in a team and coordinate with others is required.
- A high-power laser lab is a hazardous environment so a responsible approach to health and safety is imperative. Thorough safety training will be given as standard before any work is conducted in these areas, and experience working in such environments is desirable, but not essential.
Details
Work type
Full time
Work mode
office
Application deadline
Oct 29, 2023
Location
Oxford
Salary
21600 GBP