Graduate Process Engineer

UKRI; England; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading science organization in the UK is offering a graduate scheme for an enthusiastic individual to join their Accelerator Science and Technology Centre. The role includes process design, system optimization, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams on impactful science projects. Candidates should have a minimum 2:1 degree in a relevant field and be able to showcase their skills in CAD software and creative solutions. Excellent benefits and a supportive work environment await.

Benefits

30 days holiday plus bank holidays

Flexible working hours

Defined average salary pension scheme

Public transport links and free parking

Excellent learning and development opportunities

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Achieved or on course to achieve a minimum 2:1 degree, in a relevant field of study.
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at the time of starting employment.
• Experience with the use of CAD software packages.
• Ability to communicate optimally in written and/or verbal formats.
• Ability to find creative solutions to technical challenges.
• Flexibility to work on multi-disciplinary projects.
• Interest in science and engineering.
• Awareness of engineering design and associated project management processes.

Responsibilities

• Support operation of a large helium liquefier and cryogenic plant.
• Design and optimize High Precision RF Cavity temperature control systems.
• Work within a multi-disciplinary team delivering large-scale science projects.

Skills

Experience with CAD software

Creative problem-solving

Communication skills

Flexibility in multidisciplinary projects

Interest in science and engineering

Education

Minimum 2:1 degree in relevant field

Job description

Overview

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: 19 October 2025
Assessment Centre: December 2025 / January 2026
Start date: September 2026

STFC's Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) mission is to build the 'Big Science' facilities of the future; we design, build and operate particle accelerators and make major contributions to many of the biggest projects in the world today. Based at Daresbury Laboratory, we work with high-profile national and international partners that include the Cockcroft Institute. STFC is part of UKRI, the UK's national organisation for research; we encourage our staff to undertake world-leading work in a diverse and inclusive environment that supports work-life balance.

Our accelerators are used in applications such as fundamental scientific research, characterization of new materials, medical research and even cancer treatment. Facility Operations, part of the Business, Programs and Facilities division within the ASTeC department design, install, commission and maintain automated process systems as part of the accelerators with a multi-disciplinary team of technicians and engineers.

Graduate Scheme

The STFC Graduate scheme will give you the opportunity to 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, so we will provide mentoring and expertise to help you achieve valued qualifications or chartered status in your chosen field.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

ASTeC are excited for a graduate to join in September 2026. With their full support, this opportunity will involve an interesting blend of process design, hands-on commissioning and fault finding / rectification work.

Other responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the operation of a large helium liquefier and associated cryogenic plant, supporting the delivery of critical STFC Projects and the requirements of external on-site partners.
• Design and optimisation of High Precision Radio Frequency Cavity temperature control systems and Accelerator HVAC Systems.
• Design and optimisation of process systems (cooling water, gases, extract systems etc).
• Working within a multi-disciplinary team delivering national and international large scale science projects

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
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment
• Experience with the use of CAD software packages
• Ability to communicate optimally in written and/or verbal formats, using appropriate methods and tools to suit the audience and context
• Ability to find creative solutions to technical challenges
• Flexibility to work on multi-disciplinary projects
• Interest in science and engineering
• Awareness of engineering design and associated project management processes

Desirable:

• Interest in fluid mechanics and process engineering
• Practical laboratory or workshop experience
• Construction of electrical, electronic or mechanical systems
• Understanding of process safety, risk assessment and regulatory standards

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.
• 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 [e-mail].

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!

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all applicants with a disability who opt into the disability confident scheme and meet the minimum criteria for the role. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

About the Team

The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.

One of Europe\'s largest research organisations, we\'re trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we are driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/.

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/