Graduate Electronic Engineering

Job Description

Science and Technology Facilities Council Salary: £33,380 per annum. Successful candidates also receive a £1,000 welcome bonus. Hours: Full time Contract Type: Open Ended Location: Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ Closing Date: Sunday 20th October 2024 Assessment Centre: December 2024/January 2025 TBC (travel and accommodation will be reimbursed) Please note that we can only accept a maximum of 2 applications per candidate. The UK ATC is the national centre for the design and production of world-leading astronomical instruments and systems in the United Kingdom. As a science driven, professional engineering organisation, we employ innovative technology across all engineering disciplines, including complex optical and infra-red detectors, vacuum-cryogenics, control electronics and software, for both astronomy and non-astronomy applications, in collaboration with academic and industrial partners around the world. The instruments we produce are unique and technically challenging, but must be easy to use and highly reliable in difficult environments, such as on high mountain sites and in Space. Current major projects at the UK ATC include HARMONI, ANDES and METIS for the E-ELT which will be the most sensitive optical telescope in the world when construction completes in 2025, and CUBES for the VLT, ALMA, which is the largest sub-millimetre telescope in the world and the SKA which will be the world's biggest radio astronomy observatory and will locate across two continents when it is full commissioned by 2030. In addition, we run an active programme of technology development. Given the size and complexity of these instruments, the projects at the UK ATC almost always involve the close collaboration of many different international partners, working together within a consortium to achieve a common goal, with the UK ATC as the lead organisation. This provides a unique challenge with respect to the project management, instrument science and systems engineering control. Brief overview of the 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 Early Careers 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. STFC offers a benefits package crafted to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days' annual leave, an outstanding index linked pension scheme, 10.5 public and privilege days, Christmas closure and flexible working hours. For more information on our full list of benefits, please visit here. About the role and a summary of key duties & responsibilities As a Graduate Electronics Engineer at the UK ATC the selected candidate would work on a range of multi-disciplined projects alongside other engineers, technicians, scientists and project managers. They would be responsible for delivering electronics work modules to the project schedule. Key duties would provide an opportunity for the candidate to develop skills in a number of areas, for example: optical and near infrared detector systems, image data analysis to characterise detectors, electronics systems involving analogue and digital designs, implementing instrument control, configuring and programming PLCs, generating embedded code, and PCB schematic capture and design. Through their training and development programme, the candidate will have opportunity to broaden their technical and personal management skills. Local and international travel will be required, for project-based collaboration and for graduate programme activities. To apply for this graduate opportunity, we are looking for the following: Key: Shortlisting (S), Interview (I), both Shortlisting and Interview (S&I) 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) Obtained first degree Bachelors or Masters, (not doctorate) in electronics engineering. (S) Knowledge of analogue and digital electronics design (S&I) Knowledge of circuit analysis (S&I) Experience of PCB design - schematic capture and simulation (S&I) Embedded programming / firmware experience (S&I) Strong communication, organisational and presentational skills (S&I). Good interpersonal skills (S&I). Sound technical awareness and creative problem solving competency (I). Desirable: Experience with control systems and PLCs (S&I) Knowledge of imaging detectors, e.g. CCD / CMOS (S&I) Practical skills with laboratory test equipment, including interfacing with LabVIEW (S&I) PCB Layout experience (S&I) Familiarity with unix/linux operating systems (S&I) 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. About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We're proud of the impact we make. And we're committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You'll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you'll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you'll discover just what a difference you can make when you're equipped and inspired to excel. We're a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don't, ask questions that others won't, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it's at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It's very often ground-breaking. And it's endlessly, irresistibly fascinating. For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 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. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led 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 . 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. 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 disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. 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. Additional Information Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - UK Astronomy Technology Centre Contract Type: Open Ended External Closing Date: Oct 20, 2024 Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 33,380 Hours: Full-time