Supervisors: Kiran and Harry

Type of Placement: Computing (science)

This project would be suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: COMP01

The student will work with two current graduates in the Scientific Computing Department to learn the fundamental aspects of scientific computing. Depending on their interests, the students can either look at performing simulations and calculations with existing research software, or writing their own code for a simulation/analysis. The project can also be tailored to their specific scientific area of interest, with the graduates having had experience in Computational Maths, Physics, Chemistry, and Engineering. As an example, the graduates are currently working on image reconstruction for electron microscopy, and particle-based simulation methods for particle accelerators.

The student should be interested in scientific computing, ideally with interests in data analysis or scientific modelling and simulation. Experience with programming (e.g. in Python) would be useful, but can be taught through the placement. Willingness to learn and enthusiasm for the work we do is all that’s necessary.

Department: Scientific Computing Department (SCD)

Group: SCD Early Careers

We are leaders in the advancement and support of scientific computing, carrying out research and development to gather and interpret results quickly and clearly. Whether it’s creating new computational science software, helping to visualize complex scientific results, or developing the infrastructure that allows us to process huge amounts of data, R&D from SCD is driving improvements across the scientific research landscape. Up at Daresbury, we have a focus on scientific modelling and simulation across a range of domains, including computational maths, physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. Within these domains we use various scientific methods, such as: computational fluid dynamics, molecular dynamics, image reconstruction for microscopy, and electronic structure calculations.

This project would involve a placement for multiple students.

Participation in the Python Masterclass is recommended.

Supervisor: Rebecca

Type of Placement: Computing

This project is suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: COMP02

The placement will involve exploring open data around healthcare and education, using data analysis and machine learning/AI to generate insights and predictive models that can be used as prompts or assets for future projects.

For this placement a student should be undertaking an A level course in at least one of: mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics. They should be interested in understanding data and applying ML/AI algorithms to that data. Some experience in python programming or data visualisation would be beneficial.

Department: Hartree Centre

Group: Hartree Centre Data Science group
The data science group supports businesses to develop their data science capabilities and harness cutting-edge technology to solve real world challenges and improve business performance. We apply AI and machine learning algorithms alongside performing data analysis, statistics and data engineering to turn business data into actionable intelligence.

This project would involve a placement for multiple students at once.

Participation in the python workshop is recommended.

Supervisor: Nandini

Type of placement: Computing (artificial intelligence)

This project is suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: COMP03

The AI group at the Hartree centre use a variety of AI technologies to solve business and research-based problems. This includes natural language processing, surrogate modelling, reinforcement learning and computer vision. The students could gain experience working in a variety of projects such as nuclear fusion research, training a programmable robot and bioinformatics. The work experience can be customisable based on the students coding experience, but some knowledge of python would be beneficial.

This project would suit someone with an interest in coding

Department: Hartree Centre

Group: AI Group

This project would involve placements for multiple students at a time.

Attending the python workshop is advised.

Supervisor: Illian

Type of Placement: Computing

This project is suitable for students in year 10, 11, 12 and 13

More details on the project coming soon!

Department: Scientific Computing Department (SCD)

Group: Classic materials and molecular modelling

Software Engineering for Modelling and Simulation and Research via Materials and Molecular Modelling Techniques

Supervisor: Tony
Type of Placement: Engineering

This placement is suitable for students in Year 10/11
Code: ENG01

The student will build a small project that gives them experience in soldering, identifying electronic components, problem-solving, and manufacturing. Students will find out about how we support other groups with expertise in the fabrication and assembly of electronic systems. Students might also learn how technicians operate the group’s facilities for rapid prototyping of new designs through on-site circuit boards and additive manufacturing.

This project would suit someone who likes problem solving and working with their hands and is interested in technology but it requires no previous knowledge of electronics.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

Group: The Accelerator Diagnostics and Instrumentation (ADI) group

This group is responsible for the implementation and maintenance of diagnostic systems on ASTeC’s test facilities, such as the CLARA particle accelerator, and is heavily involved in electronics upgrades to existing systems installed on VELA and the CLARA front-end. In the electronics workshop, we build the units from scratch so our work includes the manufacture and fabrication of systems for ADI.

The project would involve a placement for one student at a time

Supervisor: Karolina

Type of placement: Engineering

This project is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: ENG02

We design, build and test projects using CAD & 3D printing.
This placement will enable students to design components using CAD and produce engineering drawings to solve real problems. In 5 working days students are able to design, build and test their solutions, using CAD and 3D printing.

This project could be for someone with an interest in an engineering apprenticeship or degree. The student should already have basic IT & problem-solving skills with a positive can-do attitude towards work. It would be desirable for students to have technical hobbies and previous CAD experience.

Department: Technology

Group: Project and Mechanical Engineering

We are large team of technical Project Managers and Mechanical Engineers experienced in delivering large international projects that enable world-class science and technological innovation. We have decades of experience supporting global science in the design and delivery of particle accelerators and bespoke scientific instrumentation. We specialise in facility design, high-precision design, UHV, lasers, RF, cryogenic, systems, systems integration, handling equipment and transportation.

The project would involve a placement for multiple students at a time.

Supervisor: Reda

Type of Placement: Engineering (additive manufacturing and development)

This placement is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: ENG03

Are you ready to dive into the cutting-edge world of 3D design and virtual innovation? Join us for a one-week summer work experience where creativity meets technology!
What You’ll Do:
🚀 3D Modelling & Prototyping:
• Craft a 3D model using Materialise Magics.
• Watch your creation come to life with 3D printing, post-processing, and inspection techniques.
• Refine your design into a basic functional prototype.
🎨 Virtual Design & Animation:
• Explore the world of 3ds Max to model, adjust, and animate your concepts.
• Enhance your technical skills with hands-on CAD adjustments.
🕹️ Step into Virtual Reality:
• Build and customize a virtual level using Unreal Engine 5 (UE5).
• Bring your creation to life in PC VR with the Valve Index.
• Design interactive elements and get a glimpse of video sequencing and export processes.

This hands-on experience is perfect for aspiring innovators, creators, and tech enthusiasts! You’ll gain practical insights into real-world 3D design workflows, from prototyping to virtual reality applications, all while working with industry-standard tools. Apply today and take the first step toward an exciting future in 3D design and virtual development!

Department: Business Innovation Directorate (BID)

Group: Campus Technology Hub (CTH)

At CTH, we collaborate with small businesses, engineers, and scientists to bring their ideas to life. Our expertise lies in supporting the development of innovative concepts and prototypes. This includes services such as: 3D Modelling, 3D Printing, Reverse Engineering, Prototype Development, Product Visualization, CAD Alteration and Optimization, Animation and Simulations, Virtual Reality Applications.

Our hands-on, project-focused environment offers students the opportunity to gain valuable experience in cutting-edge technologies and practical problem-solving. Depending on the student’s interests, placements can involve insight in each specific areas such as CAD design, additive manufacturing, Visualisation, VR development, providing a robust learning experience tailored to their goals.

This project would support a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Edward

Type of placement: Engineering

This project is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: ENG04

Students will be given a project involving all aspects of the project lifecycle from specification to design and procurement, and finally building, programming and commissioning. The students will also get the opportunity to see some of the other projects here at Daresbury to see how these aspects are applied on a much larger scale.

This project would suit a student with an interest in finding how things work and a desire to find solutions to challenges.

Department: Technology

Group: Electrical Engineering

The electrical engineering group consists of electrical engineers, designers and technicians who design, build and install electrical and controls equipment for world-class science facilities.

This project would involve a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Anisullah

Type of Project: Engineering (RF (radio frequency/microwave) signal transmission and measurements)

This project is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: ENG05

The work placement project “introduction to RF (radio frequency) Measurement Technology for Particle Accelerators” shall provide students an overview of the theory, engineering and practical aspects of how RF measurements are done for a large scale particle accelerator facility.
The students shall be given hands-on experience on typical radio frequency signal generation, transmission and measurement instruments/components.
The students shall be given individual projects at the end of work placement, where they shall be analysing typical RF components utilizing standard instruments to have a feel of RF measurements technology. 

This project would suit a student who has an interest in physics and applied physics as well as a hands on work experience.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

Group: Radio Frequency and Cryogenics (RFC) Group

The specialist expertise available in the group provides ASTeC with the ability to design, fabricate, commission and ultimately operate a wide variety of complex accelerator systems; expertise which includes:

• Optimised electro-magnetic design of both normal-conducting and super-conducting accelerating structures.
• Analogue and digital Low Level RF control system design and implementation.
• Cryogenic system process optimisation and plant infrastructure development.
• We work closely with international collaborating laboratories and institutes to propel technological developments as part of ASTeC’s strategic mission. Being an integral member of the Cockcroft Institute, the group has a strong history of collaboration with both Manchester and Lancaster Universities for the development of advanced RF and diagnostics systems for the next generation of collider accelerators. The group also has an ongoing remit to promote knowledge exchange opportunities with UK industry for accelerator technology development.

Current key projects and areas for which the group is involved are:-

CLARA and VELA
ESS High Beta cavities
HL-LHC Crab cavity cryomodule programme
PIP-II cryomodule programme
Linac Test Facility (Industrial Case Studies)
UK-XFEL

This project would involve a placement for multiple students at a time.

Supervisor: Paul 
Type of Placement: Engineering 

This placement is suitable for students in Year 10/11 and Year 12/13 

Code: ENG06

This project will enable students to experience the work taking place in the Engineering Technology Centre and learning how we build, assemble and install components of particle accelerators. The students will spend time with engineers and technicians to practice some basic hand skills to give the students some ‘real world’ experience and provide opportunities to ask questions of people across the team. The students are given a tour of our building (Engineering Technology Centre) to see the construction and test of equipment for many international projects. 

This project would suit someone with Drive. 

Department: Technology Department 
Group: Mechanical, Metrology and Technical Engineering group. 
Our work involves build assembly, commissioning and installation of high end Scientific projects, including for our in house Accelerator CLARA, CERN Crab Cavities, PIP2 Cavity and Detector build and other bespoke works of this nature. 

The project would involve a placement for one student at a time 

Attending the free online ‘Introduction to Python’ Workshop held in May 2024 is advised. 

Supervisor: Rachael

Type of placement: Engineering (computing)

This project is suitable for students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: ENG07

As part of this placement there is the option to do one of the following:

• Engineering, mechanical services installation, pipework, instrumentation and control.

• Working in the Radiation Test Facilities Operations team developing processes for safety and compliance, may also include some app/ software development but not at a high level.

• Digital Infrastructure and App development. Could work in either IT infrastructure or with our App development team.

Please discuss further which of these you would be interested in as part of your application, as part of the question asking about your particular interests in the project.

Department: ASTeC

Group: Radiation Test Facilities Operation Group

This project would involve a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Valentina

Type of Project: Engineering (The main area would be electronics and mechanical engineering but there is also the possibility of doing small computer simulations or participating in practical lab activities like preparing and setting up equipment for an experiment)

This project is suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: ENG08

The student selected will participate in all activities of the Accelerator’s Diagnostics and Instrumentation group, for example participating in meetings, collaborating on optical instruments setup and test, overseeing electronics equipment design and there is the possibility of producing a small simulation to reconstruct a physics experiment’s outcome with Python or a different programming language known by the student, or designing a mechanical component with a CAD software. A tour of the facilities will also be provided

This project would suit someone with an interest in electronics or mechanical engineering or programming.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

Group: Instrumentation and Diagnostics

We design, manufacture and implement diagnostic solutions for the particle accelerator CLARA. That involves bunch length monitors, to measure the physical length of the electron bunchs we accelerate with CLARA, instruments to measure the electric charge of the accelerated bunches, to know the exact position of the bunch inside the accelerator, and time of arrival monitors, which measure the time when a bunch reaches the end of the accelerator and is dumped. My work also involves doing programming with Python to simulate certain diagnostics of the accelerator, and I am involved in the organisation of a particle accelerators conference that will happen in Liverpool in 2025.

This project would involve a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: James

Type of Placement: Science (practical)

This placement is suitable for students in Year 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: SCI01

This project will include looking into vacuum and outgassing effects. This will involve an introduction to vacuum and outgassing, setting up an experimental run and running equipment, taking data and analysing results. 

The students will learn about working in a R&D lab. This will involve basic safety and running of a lab, linking up / working with other departments on-site, repairs to chambers/systems and equipment, looking at the “bigger” picture of STFC, and where our work integrates into that. 

Some students may get the option to look into SRF (Super Conducting Radio Frequency) thinfilm technologies/coatings. This will involve building chambers/systems, mounting samples and setting up correct conditions, leak testing (seals), deposition using plasma techniques, analysing samples with microscopes (in a separate lab area)

This project would suit a student who enjoys practical experiments.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

Group: Vacuum Solutions Group (VSG) (Research & Development division)

We look at new technologies for particle accelerators involving vacuum. The quality of your vacuum will effect the science capability of a particle accelerator. It’s not as easy as you think! A mixture of scientists, engineers and technicians work together to push the boundaries of what is achievable within research and development (R&D) labs. This is very much a “hands-on” approach to science.

This project would involve a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Alex B

Type of placement: Science (practical/computer simulation)

This project is suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: SCI02

The placement will involve the student learning to perform computer simulations of magnetic fields produced by beam focusing magnets using commercial software and a technique known as the Finite Element Method (FEM). The supervisor will guide the student through learning how to use the software. No prior knowledge of accelerators is required, though reading up on magnetic fields would be beneficial. Being reasonably confident with computers would be beneficial.

This project would suit someone with a general interest in either electromagnetism or particle accelerator technology.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department 
Group: Magnetics & Radiation Sources (MaRS) Group 

Our group is part of ASTeC, and is responsible for the design, simulation, measurement, and troubleshooting of a variety of magnetic systems for particle accelerators. This ranges from magnets that bend and focus the particle beam through to less well known applications such as magnetic shielding and magnetic properties of materials near the beam. We are specialists in using magnetic fields to make particle beams produce synchrotron radiation, effectively turning a particle beam into an x-ray laser for experiments. 

The project would involve a placement for one student at a time 

Attending the free online ‘Introduction to Python’ Workshop held in May 2024 is advised. 

Supervisor: Zakia

Type of placement: Science (practical)

This placement is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: SCI03

The student(s) will work with members of the RF and Cryogenics Group in the Superconducting RF Lab who are testing cavities. The student may work on assisting preparations for test, and/or analysing recent test data and reporting results.

We encourage applications from all students, especially those from groups that are historically underrepresented in STEM. No prior knowledge is expected. What we are looking for is a thirst for knowledge, curiosity, and a desire to ask questions (there is no such thing as a silly question!). A general interest in physics and engineering is a bonus.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

Group: Radio Frequency and Cryogenics group (RF&C)

Particle accelerators are an incredibly powerful tool, with applications from studying the fundamental building blocks of the universe to treating cancer. All modern high-energy accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, use superconducting radio frequency cavities to accelerate charged particle beams close to the speed of light. These cavities are highly engineered structures which must be operated at temperatures close to absolute zero. The Radio Frequency and Cryogenics group (RF&C) at Daresbury Laboratory conducts tests on superconducting radio frequency (SRF) cavities in the SuRF lab for several forthcoming international accelerator proiects. Liquid helium is used in this specialist facility to provide a stable environment for testing.

This project would involve a placement for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Eleni and Ollie

Type of placement: Science

This project is suitable for students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: SCI04

A week visiting and learning from people in different areas of the accelerator department. Learn what goes into designing, engineering and maintaining and accelerator and experience the different types of work and science knowledge that can be applied across the discipline. This experience will include talks and practicals that will showcase the wide range of different types jobs needed to make an accelerator come to be.

This placement would suit someone with an interest in particle physics.

Department: Accelerator Science and Technology (ASTeC) Department

This project will involve a placement for multiple students at once.

Supervisor: Lydia

Type of placement: Other (Administration and project management)

This project is suitable for students in Year 12/13

Code: OTH01

We are creating a project management based placement whereby work experience students can gain valuable transferable skills and experience in administration and project management.

The placement will include:

• Taking students through an events life cycle
• Introducing them to valuable project management skills such as; production of a Gantt chart, budget management, Microsoft package proficiency, communication plans, risk registers and much more.

By the end of this placement, you should be able to have a foundational understanding of how to apply project management principles to creating and executing a successful event.

This placement would suit students with an interest in events and/or project management.

Department: Scientific Computing Department (SCD)

Group: SCD Admin

The SCD Admin Groups role includes

• Events Management
• Project Management
• Coordinating Meetings locally & internationally
• Travel planning locally & internationally
• Managing Budgets
• Diary Management
• Personal Assistant’s to Theme Leads & Director
• General administrative duties

This project would involve a placement for multiple students at a time.

Supervisor: Emmanuel

Type of Placement: Other (business development)

This project is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: OTH02

The Business engagement Incubation team of STFC Daresbury propose a working experience week for a student to discover the technical capabilities of the campus to help SME and start up to create new products or service.
By visiting various department, the student will be asked to provide a presentation of the resource available and how a tech start up could benefit  from those resources.

This project would suit someone with an interest in science, technology and in start-up business .

Department: Business and Innovation Directorate (BID)

Group: The Incubation Team

The Incubation team offers space, tech support and access to finance to start up and small enterprise who want to develop a new product or a new service.
We engage with businesses for them to use our 3D printing lab, VR/AR and IOT/ELECTRONIC technical capability   to grow their idea to a Prototype via Proof of Concept. We support them to reach commercialisation by introducing them to the larger Campus network and regional ecosystem.

This project would involve a placement for multiple students.

Supervisor: Andy

Type of placement: Other (Digital Design)

This project would be suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: OTH03

As part of this project, the student might be involved in:

• Visual Communication/Creative Design
• Web Design and Development
• Illustration/Infographics
• Animation
• Film Production
• Photography
• Digital Printing
• Exhibition Displays
• Binding and finishing
• Large format printing
• Video conferencing
• Lecture theatre support
• Digital accessibility

Department: Digital Infrastructure

Group: Digital Creative Services

Experienced professionals using the latest technology to provide the most responsive, reliable service.

Supervisor: Adele and Matthew

Type of placement: Other (finance)

This project is suitable for students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: OTH04

A work experience placement within the Finance team would involve learning about how Finance Officers operate within a large science and technology organisation, learning about the key tasks that this type of work involves. A placement would give students the opportunity to see what costs are incurred as part of a scientific project and see a range of projects in progress. You would assist the Finance department to check the status and budget controls set up on live projects and highlight where they do not match expectations. There would also be the opportunity to learn how to use excel spreadsheets to view project Finances and manipulate and present Finance data.

Placements would suit students who are organised, are able to spot fine details, and are good at paying attention.

Department: Finance

The finance team are responsible for STFC’s overall budgeting and associated financial planning. Supporting the work of all of STFC’s departments, the Finance team provide an essential Science Support role enabling the incredible science and technology work that STFC undertake.

This project would involve placements for one student at a time.

Supervisor: Lizzie and Harriet

Type of Placement: Other (Public Engagement, Computing)

This placement is suitable for students in years 10, 11, 12 and 13

Code: OTH05

Students will select a key current topic within SCD to research. They will then create a presentation (along with physical props) to effectively communicate that topic to a primary school audience. This would form part of a larger workshop which would involve the use of the PE group’s equipment including CRUMBLE kits and Mindstorms. Ideally this would culminate in the students assisting in the delivery of this workshop during a small schools visit to site.

This is a project that would suit a student looking to develop their communication (specifically Science Communication) skills, as well as knowledge of different techniques used in outreach and event planning. The project can be tailored to the student depending on interest.

Department: Scientific Computing Department (SCD)

Group: Graduates

As graduates in SCD we complete 4 rotations – at the moment we do not know the group we will be placed in during the work experience week. However, our project idea does not depend on our group and we will be partnered with the Public Engagement team. The public engagement team engages schools and the general public with STFC science and technology.

This project would involve a placement for multiple students at once.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS PROJECT HAS NOT BEEN CONFIRMED YET.

If you think you would be interested in a project with the Human Resources Department, you can indicate this on the application form.

Particle accelerators underpin many of the existing and forthcoming research facilities supported directly by UK Research and Innovation and STFC, such as Diamond Light Source, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, the Large Hadron Collider, and the European Spallation Source (ESS). The Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) within STFC is a centre of excellence which brings together all of the skills and expertise required to develop world class accelerators for the UK’s future research needs.

The five technical groups are:

• Accelerator Physics
• Magnets and Radiation Sources
• Radio Frequency and Diagnostics
• High-Power Lasers
• Vacuum Solutions

A Work Experience placement in ASTeC could involve a small project that gives students experience skills such as soldering, identifying electronic components, problem-solving, and manufacturing. Students might find out about how we support other groups with expertise in the fabrication and assembly of electronic systems. Students might also learn how technicians operate the group’s facilities for rapid prototyping of new designs through on-site circuit boards and additive manufacturing. These placements would suit students who are logical, patient and who are able to spot fine details – good at paying attention.

The Business Innovation directorate (BID) collaborate with UK businesses, both big and small, to develop new inventions and bring them out into the wider world where the technology can solve real world challenges and impact people’s lives. This includes thinking about Intellectual Property and entrepreneurial activity such as creating new businesses. We are the connecting point between academia, industry and the wider world.

Work Experience projects within BID generally involve students working with a supervisor across a week to deliver a small project that could include marketing, social media, science communications and business development. The placement would suit students who are good at sharing information and ideas with other people, are imaginative and can think of new and interesting ideas, are organised and make sure that they finish things.

The finance team are responsible for STFC’s overall budgeting and associated financial planning. Supporting the work of all of STFC’s departments, the Finance team provide an essential Science Support role enabling the incredible science and technology work that STFC undertake.

A work experience placement within the Finance team would involve learning about how Finance Officers operate within a large science and technology organisation, learning about the key tasks that this type of work involves. A placement would give students the opportunity to see what costs are incurred as part of a scientific project and see a range of projects in progress. You would assist the Finance department to check the status and budget controls set up on live projects and highlight where they do not match expectations. There would also be the opportunity to learn how to use excel spreadsheets to view project Finances and manipulate and present Finance data. Placements would last one week and would suit students who are organised, are able to spot fine details, and are good at paying attention.

At the Hartree Centre, we want to see UK businesses outperforming their global competitors. We want to grow the economy, create skilled jobs and train people to excel in them. Most of all, we want to keep the UK at the forefront of industrial innovation. We’re making all this happen and more by enabling UK industry to fully embrace and integrate the latest digital and cognitive technologies.
We provide collaborative research, innovation and development services that accelerate the application of high-performance computing (HPC), data analytics and artificial intelligence technologies. By working with us, businesses and research partners can gain a competitive advantage that enables them to produce better outcomes, products and services more quickly and cheaply than through conventional R&D.

Work Experience projects within the Hartree Centre could involve working with and learning to understand data with the potential of applying Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence algorithms to that data. Previous projects have included training a photo recognition model and integrating AI skills into a simple game. Placement would suit students who are curious about learning new things, logical, and enjoy working with data.

Daresbury Laboratory is one of the UK’s leading centres of expertise in data-intensive science, and home to sophisticated high-performance hardware. Our computational scientists, software engineers and project support staff meet the ever-increasing demand for innovative software solutions, digital research infrastructure and computational expertise in a variety of disciplines.​ Our staff have cutting-edge skills and expertise in scientific software research and development, and world-leading capabilities in:

• ‘big data’ storage and analysis
• visualisation and simulation, and
• scientific information management. 

Scientific computing is fundamental to modern research. This broad and rapidly-advancing field involves exploiting advanced computing capabilities to understand and solve complex problems in science. The huge amounts of data generated by scientific research require advanced computing infrastructure, products and services. Scientists need these resources to ​interpret and manage the information they obtain during their research, and it’s these resources that we provide. Work Experience projects within SCD generally involve students working with a supervisor across a week to run simulations that could be linked to various scientific disciplines such as computational physics, biology, chemistry and engineering. Through running the simulations and analysing the data produced, students will further their own knowledge and learning whilst being encouraged to develop ideas to explain the science behind the observations. There may also be the possibility of experiencing how our administrative activities relate to running scientific activities within our National Laboratories. The placement would suit students who are curious about learning new things, logical, and enjoy working with data.

The Technology Department (​TD) is one of the largest departments in the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)​. It spans two of STFC’s three major sites and is comprised of around 330 staff members, including scientists, engineers, technicians and apprentices. Approximately 140 staff are based at Daresbury Laboratory. Our role at STFC is to provide technology and instrumentation to the organisation’s programmes and facilities and derive maximum impact from its innovations through collaboration with industrial and academic partners. Our work involves the design and delivery of large and complex scientific instruments and we specialise in using our multi-disciplinary engineering skills and expertise to develop solutions where no suitable technologies exist.

At Daresbury Laboratory the Technology Department is split into seven groups, all of whom have different work experience options:

Control Systems and Safety Interlocks
This group is responsible for the design and development of pioneering control and safety systems for several particle accelerators and large scientific facilities both within STFC and in collaboration with other national and international organisations. Student placements could involve projects that highlight the role of Control and Safety Systems. This could include writing software to control industrial equipment or designing hardware that will interface the controllers with the user and the equipment it is controlling. This would suit people who can solve problems by thinking them through in a logical order and who are willing to listen to the ideas of others.

Detector Systems
A placement in this group will enable students to experience the design and manufacture of world leading innovative Detector systems. Students will gain an appreciation of basic electronics assembly skills and basic design/test skills. This placement would suit patient and logical people.

Electrical Engineering
Our role is to specify, procure, integrate and commission complex electrical systems to be installed at various international science facilities. Students will interact closely with the team, experiencing the full life cycle of a project, from concept and design using the latest CAD technology through to assembly and finally operation. This placement would suit those who can stick with an activity and try hard to make it happen in an organised manner.

Mechanical, Metrology and Technical Engineering (MMTE)
Within the MMTE group, we always aim to offer the student a ‘hands on’ experience, be it using spanners and nuts and bolts to create a vacuum joint, or helping to install a support system on a module structure. During your stay, you will gain an insight into the variety of processes and methods that are necessary to build and commission high-end technical projects. It would suit patient and hard-working individuals.

Nuclear Physics

Placements could involve students using simulations to learn about the physics of radiation interaction in matter and will be able to see the outcome of these interactions as they happen. The student could work on the modelling of an existing detector system or be involved in the design of a new detection system. This placement would suit logical people who can solve problems by thinking them through in a sensible order.

Projects and Mechanical Engineering (PME)
PME provide expertise in project management, Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) and simulation to predict the performance of engineering systems prior to manufacture. The group is made up of project managers, mechanical engineers, and designers that specialise in providing leading-edge technology to support scientific research projects that involve particle accelerators, nuclear physics, lasers, and space exploration. The group has the latest CAE tools including virtual reality to visualise particle accelerators and detector systems during the design process. Students might have an introduction to the design of particle accelerators using Computer-Aided Design (CAD). This would suit people who like to make new things and have original ideas, as well as those can take a logical approach to the things that they do.

Portfolio and Quality Management (PQMG)

The Portfolio and Quality Management Group contains key functions that support both the Technology at Daresbury Division and the ASTeC/TDL Portfolio. These functions are:

1. Portfolio Management Office (PMO). The PMO function provides the following services to colleagues: standards and good Practice, assurance and reporting services, consultancy services.
2. Quality Management. The Daresbury Laboratory Quality Management System offer generic and specialist advice in the areas of quality planning, assurance, control, and improvement, including statistical process control.