Work Experience at Daresbury Laboratory (DL)
Each year at STFC, we are proud to run a highly successful work experience scheme for Year 10, 11. 12 and 13 students at schools based in the UK. For the summer 2023 programme, the Daresbury Laboratory (DL) work experience team will be delivering on-site work experience provision for young people. We will be running on-site placements as well as a series of webinar sessions throughout the summer.
Please ensure you know how you will travel to the lab each day, before applying for a placement.
If you have any queries about work experience, please do not hesitate to email us.
Video Introduction to the Programme
How to apply
Applications for the 2023 programme closed on 24th February. We are unable to accept any more applications for this programme. For information on when applications for the 2024 programme will open, please check back on this webpage.
All applicants will need to submit a CV and cover letter via an online application form linked below. Below is a list of essential and desirable criteria to help you write your CV and cover letter. We have provided templates for applicants to use to help write their CV and cover letters. Applicants do not need to use these templates. We ask that all applicants ensure that neither their CV nor cover letter contains their address or contact details, we will ask for this separately. Please ensure that your CV is no more than two pages.
Essential Skills:
- Willingness to learn and ask questions
- Enthusiasm for science and engineering
- Interest in STFC’s work
- Good communication skills, both verbal and written
Desirable skills:
- Ability to work safely in a lab or shared space
- Familiarity with Microsoft Office, including Word, PowerPoint and Excel
Placement details
All applicants for the 2023 programme will hear from us by 21 April, letting them know if they have been offered a placement, and providing more information about the webinar programme.
More information about the STFC Work Experience programmes can be found here.
Placements will last one week and can be offered between 19 June – 31 August 2023. Please note: We are unable to offer placements starting on week commencing Monday 10 July and week commencing Monday 17 July due to Daresbury Open Week.
Students will work individually or in a small group with one or two supervisors on a project relevant to their interests and STFC, which will meet the relevant Gatsby benchmarks.
Example projects from 2021/2022 can be found here.
More information about STFC sites and departments can be found here.
Departments offering work experience at DL
Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC)
Brings together all 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
Business Innovation Directorate
Collaborating with UK businesses, both big and small, through the work we do at our campuses to support regional development and increase job creation.
Communications
Shares the excitement and social impact of our world-leading science, engineering and technology to a range of audiences through digital and traditional channels.
Finance
Responsible for STFC’s overall budgeting and associated financial planning
Hartree Centre
Enabling UK businesses and the public sector to explore and adopt innovative new digital technologies including AI and quantum computing for productivity, innovation and economic growth.
Scientific Computing Department (SCD)
One of the UK’s leading centres of expertise in data-intensive science, and home to sophisticated high-performance hardware.
Technology Department, including Control Systems and Safety Interlocks, Detector Systems; Electrical Engineering; Mechanical, Metrology and Technical Engineering; Nuclear Physics; Projects and Mechanical Engineering
Provides advanced technology and engineering in support of both STFC funded activities and other high profile international projects. There is a strong focus on engineering for accelerators and related instrumentation.
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.
Detector Systems
Experience the design and manufacture of world leading innovative Detector systems. You will gain an appreciation of basic electronics assembly skills and basic design/test skills.
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.
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.
Nuclear Physics
Using the CERN-developed Simulation toolkit GEANT4, the work experience student will 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 will work on the modelling of an existing detector system or be involved in the design of a new detection system.
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 has the latest CAE tools including virtual reality to visualise particle accelerators and detector systems during the design process. Students will have an introduction to the design of particle accelerators using Computer-Aided Design (CAD).
How to get to Daresbury Laboratory
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Daresbury Laboratory
Keckwick Ln
Daresbury
Warrington
WA4 4AD
Telephone: 01925 603828 Email: [email protected]