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 and Daresbury Laboratory, Keckwick Lane, Daresbury, WA4 4AD

Closing date: 19th October 2025

Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026

Start date: September 2026

In Scientific Computing ( https://www.sc.stfc.ac.uk/ ) we research, develop and support leading edge high-performance computational & data storage infrastructures and scientific software to perform and support extraordinary science. We have nearly 300 staff in roles such as systems management, research software engineering, open science and computational science developing projects and services to make a real difference to the scientific communities we support. We help our communities by providing systems and software to help analyse, simulate and visualise research data.

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

We are looking for graduates to join both of our sites, the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire and the Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire.


As a Scientific Computing graduate, you'll be embedded in a team working on projects and production services to help in the development of new research data management systems, scientific software, open science, computing and cloud platforms.


Working in a series of teams through the first two years you will make a real difference to the scientific and technical capability of the department whilst developing your expertise in:


Linux, cloud, high performance computing, systems management and hardware Data storage and management of large complex scientific datasets Software engineering, open science and scientific software development Project Management Working with scientists to deliver to their requirements
We use a large range of technologies and training is offered to ensure you have the right skills for the work.

Responsibilities

Each graduate will undertake four 6 month projects with the outputs being used beyond the end of each project. You will be embedded in technical teams and will be responsible for the technical development and outcomes of your project.


Past projects have included:


Deploying and running private clouds using OpenStack Software engineering of new tools to manage large scale data. Developing and installing new system tools to monitor 10,000s CPU cores and 100s Petabytes of data Programming of new scientific analysis and simulation applications
All projects will be available irrespective of which site you'll be based on.


For more details on these projects, please visit our website: https://www.sc.stfc.ac.uk/graduates-apprenticeships/


As your skills and abilities develop your level of responsibility will increase.

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) At least one of the items listed below. These may have been gained as part of a final year project or home projects. + Experience of Linux system management, clouds, PC/server hardware or networking (S&I)
+ Programming experience, preferably in one of Python C, C+, Java, Javascript, or similar (S&I)
+ Experience of Software engineering methodologies (S&I)
Plus at least one of the following: + Managing a project (S&I)
+ Using scientific computational software (S&I)
+ Working in a team (S&I)
+ Understanding of IT security (S&I)
+ Ability to communicate technical information to different audiences (S&I)

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/


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!