Irradiation Instrument Scientist (NILE/ChipIr)

Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. And, alongside world class engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real answers that shape society and improve lives.

ISIS is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences at the STFC. Our suite of neutron and muon instruments gives unique insights into the properties of materials on the atomic scale. We support a national and international community of more than 3000 scientists for research into subjects ranging from clean energy and the environment, pharmaceuticals and health care, through to nanotechnology and materials engineering, catalysis and polymers, and on to fundamental studies of materials. 

The neutron irradiation capabilities at ISIS are designed to provide some of the world’s best accelerated testing facilities for single-event effects in electronic chips. Single-event effects occur when fast “atmospheric” neutrons, which result from cosmic rays hitting the Earth’s atmosphere, cause errors in electronic equipment. Such cosmic-ray induced effects are increasing in importance across the electronics industry as chips are being employed in critical systems.   

ISIS has recently developed the NILE facility that consists of two small compact fast-neutron sources to primarily develop electronic testing techniques and detector development, training and benchmarking. This facility also has applications in more general fast-neutron irradiation areas within related field such as fusion and materials science. 

NILE and ChipIr are working with industry in many of the current key strategic and priority areas (autonomous and electric cars, renewable energy power system, internet communications). Alongside this both NILE and ChipIr have been developing a vibrant academic user community which works collaboratively with the industrial community in the development of the techniques and methodologies, and in innovative research on cosmic-ray effects. 

List of Duties / Work Programme / Responsibilities 

• Ensure the day-to-day running of the NILE facility
• Develop NILE for training, method development in irradiation techniques
• Explore the wider commercial and academic application
• Pursuing a research and development program
• Help deliver ISIS’s state-of-the art neutron irradiation capability to a global commercial electronics industry.

Personal Skills and Attributes 

• To be qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant physical or technical science
• A PhD in a relevant research area
• A good appreciation of the requirement of industry and/or commercial clients in single-event effect testing
• Experience of working with industrial customers / users in a large facility context
• Interest and proven ability in instrumentation development. 

UKRI is an Equal Opportunity & Disability Confident Employer.

How to apply:

For full details on the role, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that clearly showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

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, technicians 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

Closing Date: Sunday 17^th December 2023

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