Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

Salary: 24,961 per annum

Hours: Full-time, 37 hours

Contract Type: Fixed-Term, 12months

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Closing Date: Sunday, 19th October 2025

Interview Date: Dec 2025 / Jan 2026

Start Date:

September 2026

RAL Space is one of the largest interdisciplinary space departments in Europe, having a consistent track record contributing to more than 200 instruments in space. The department works throughout the lifecycle of space missions - from leading concept studies for future missions, developing bespoke scientific instrumentation, providing space test and ground-based facilities, operating ground-stations, and to processing and analysing data.


The group is recognised for its major contributions in a diverse range of space instrumentation; standout highlights include:


Imaging electronics on NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, a flagship mission designed to understand the causes of solar variability and its impacts on Earth. Imaging electronics for the RAMAN spectrometer on ESA's ExoMars rover, looking to identify minerals and biomarker signatures of past and/or current life on Mars. Electronics for the SPICE ultraviolet spectrometer on ESA's Solar Orbiter, to study a range of solar questions including the origins of the coronal magnetic field. A mass spectrometer on ESA's Rosetta/Philae mission to Comet 67-P, to investigate the origin and composition of comets, and where the water on Earth originates

Brief overview of the scheme

STFC's incredibly diverse range of placements allow you to work alongside world leading engineers, scientists, and technicians in highly collaborative environments. With an STFC Industrial Placement you will become a critical member of the team in which you will be exposed to exciting projects and challenges from the start.


We'll provide challenges that match your skills, and each placement is a unique opportunity to pursue your career interests. You will be supported every step of the way by our dedicated Early Careers Development Team who will also ensure you benefit from a range of personal development opportunities.

About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities

The Industrial Placement student will work under the supervision of one of our electronics engineers, working on one of our many projects for spacecraft and ground-based instruments. Duties may include, but may not be limited to:


Analogue and digital circuit design. PCB layout of complex multilayer boards. Functional testing of assembled boards o VHDL design work. Create manufacturing drawings and participate in design reviews. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Complete analyses and documentation, including test plans, specifications and reports. Vigilance of health and safety considerations. Supporting outreach activities and tours of the Division on occasion.

To apply for this placement, we are looking for the following:

Key - Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I)

Essential:

Currently enrolled on an undergraduate degree course and returning to university/studies to complete your undergraduate degree following the placement (S) Are required or have requested to take an industrial placement year (S) Have the right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement (S) Able to commence employment in summer 2026 (S) Analogue design skills (S&I) Digital design skills (S&I) Demonstratable practical skills such as verification and testing of circuit boards and components (S&I)

Desirable:

Awareness of FPGA design using VHDL and/or Verilog (S&I) Knowledge of higher-level software programming languages or applications (e.g. C/C++, LabVIEW) and/or low-level programming languages (S&I) Knowledge of designing electronics for space applications (S&I)

Employee Benefits:

30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days). Flexible working hours. An excellent defined average salary pension scheme. Easily accessible public transport links/ free parking. Excellent learning and development opportunities. Cycle to work scheme.
Link to more benefits: https://stfccareers.co.uk/rewards-and-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: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y

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 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.

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 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!