Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: 35,049 per annum + 1,000 welcome bonus

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: Full-time

Location:

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Closing date: 19th October 2025

Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026

Start date: September 2026

The NQCC's Superconducting Circuits team works across science and engineering to build and scale superconducting quantum computing systems. These systems use micro/nano-scale quantum circuit devices as the qubits which must be manufactured to a high degree of accuracy and uniformity in a cleanroom.


As a Graduate Device Fabrication Engineer you will be included in our effort to manufacture these devices at UK-based nanofabrication facilities. You will learn and grow skills that are widely applied in semiconductor computer chip manufacturing such as nano-scale device processing, metrology, packaging and integration, and learn to apply them in quantum computing.


Beyond the lab, you will also be encouraged to take part in range of wider activities including internal seminars, journal clubs, technical training, outreach and public engagement events as well as lively team building activities such as sports and cake clubs.

Graduate Scheme

The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion early in your journey with us, supported by technical training and a broader programme of career support and training and development.


Our dedicated Graduate Development Team will provide the right combination of challenge and support throughout, helping you achieve your ambitions. We know that professional recognition is also important to you too, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Work with highly skilled device fabrication professionals to learn and support process development, fabrication and improvement of superconducting qubits and related quantum devices. Operate specialist tools to measure device quality and package them for cryogenic testing. Keep accurate records of fabrication recipes and results to ensure consistent device performance. Ensure compliance with cleanroom safety protocols and standard operating protocols. Work within a quantum hardware team, interacting with chip design and cryogenic testing experts. Record and share knowledge through reports and presentations. Travel to cleanroom facilities around the UK to perform fabrication.

Person Specification

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

Essential:

Achieved, or be on course to achieve, a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study (S) Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment (S) Appreciation of principles for working in a laboratory or cleanroom environment (S&I) Knowledge of software and techniques for CAD (S&I) Ability to perform accurate record keeping, technical report writing and presentation (S&I) Experience working in a team, and able to demonstrate autonomy within their area of responsibility (S&I)

Desirable:

Demonstrable interest in quantum computing or quantum technology (S&I) Experience working in a lab handling equipment and chemicals, appreciation of safety protocols (S&I) Knowledge of device fabrication or device packaging processes in a cleanroom (S&I) Basic level of programming experience for editing scripts or instrumentation (S)

Employee Benefits

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


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/


Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact stfcgraduates@ukri.org.

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!