Electrical and Electronic Engineer Summer Placement

Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £23,493 per annum
Contract Type: Fixed Term - 10-12 weeks
Hours: Full-time
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX
Closing date: 8th March 2026
Interview: Virtually via Microsoft Teams in April 2026
Start date: June 2026

ISIS Neutron and Muon Source is a world leading centre for research at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford. Our suite of neutron and muon instruments provides unique insight into the atomic scale properties of materials. Delivering these beams relies on a complex accelerator and associated engineering systems that must operate with high reliability, precision, and repeatability.

The Magnet Power Supplies (MPS) Group is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of electrical power supply systems for the electromagnets used across the ISIS accelerator. This includes the extract kicker system, a fast pulsed system used for beam manipulation and extraction, which requires carefully controlled electrical pulses delivered with accurate timing and reproducibility.

The extract kicker pulse is generated using a pulse forming network (PFN), constructed from a network of capacitors and inductors arranged to produce a defined pulse shape when discharged. To support reliable operation and future maintenance of the accelerator, the group is building a spare PFN to act as an operational replacement for the extract kicker system. A dedicated test kicker system is available to validate performance, compare measured behaviour with expected circuit response, and confirm readiness for operational use.

As a summer placement student in the MPS Group, you will work on this PFN build project, gaining hands on experience with pulsed power circuits, electrical measurements, and data driven engineering decisions. A key aspect of the project is the evaluation and optimisation of PFN capacitor selection. The capacitors used have manufacturing tolerances, and the student will help develop and apply a systematic approach to measuring, organising, and assembling large numbers of components to ensure the overall PFN capacitance is tightly controlled and well balanced.

This will include working with existing test equipment to characterise components, using an algorithmic approach to optimise how PFN stages are assembled, and applying these recommendations during the physical construction of the network. The student will also be involved in integrating the completed PFN into its tank, supporting in final preparation steps, and taking part in verification testing to confirm correct operation prior to sign off as an operational spare.

Throughout the placement, you will work closely with experienced engineers, contributing to experimental setup, data analysis, system assembly, and technical documentation. You will apply undergraduate level circuit theory, basic modelling or simulation tools, and practical measurement techniques to a real accelerator subsystem with clear performance and reliability requirements.

This placement offers practical experience with real accelerator hardware, exposure to pulsed power engineering in a research facility, and the opportunity to see an engineering system progress from component level evaluation through to a fully assembled and validated operational unit.

The MPS Group provides a collaborative and supportive environment, with mentoring from experienced engineers and a strong emphasis on hands on learning, problem solving, and professional development.

Summer Placements at STFC

STFC's incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. Whichever you choose, you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start. You will also be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Gain an understanding of the extract kicker system and the role of the pulse forming network (PFN) within the ISIS accelerator.
• Support the build of an operational spare PFN, from component evaluation through to final system assembly and verification.
• Collect, organise, and analyse component measurement data to support informed, data driven assembly decisions.
• Develop and apply an algorithmic approach to optimising PFN stage assembly and capacitance balancing.
• Assist with configuration, integration, and verification of the completed PFN using the dedicated kicker test system.
• Produce clear technical documentation summarising methods, results, and recommendations for future PFN builds.

Person Specification

The below criteria will be scored during Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).

In order to apply for the role we are looking for the following:

Essential:

• You are in full time education at university, and will be returning to university/your studies to complete your undergraduate degree once the summer placement has concluded (S)
• You have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S)
• Demonstrate an understanding of electrical / electronic circuits (S & I)
• Demonstrates willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team (S & I)
• Self motivated, enthusiastic, innovative, logical approach to problem solving, organised, reliable and collaborative (I)
• Able to communicate to both a technical and non technical audience (S & I)
• Evidence of practical experience through University labs (S & I)

Desirable:

• Shows an interest in the world outside of engineering (S & I)

Employee Benefits

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

• 30 days holiday pro rata
• Flexible working hours.
• Easily accessible public transport links / free parking.
• Excellent learning and development opportunities.

Link to more benefits:

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.

You can check your eligibility here:

Application Guidance

Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate.

Part of our application process involves submitting your CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address your suitability for the opportunity based on how you meet each essential criteria stated in this advert.

Please note that we hold the right to close this vacancy early if a sufficient number of applications have been received.

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