Graduate Process Engineer

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

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 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

ASTeC are excited for a graduate to come and join them 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, gasses, 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 (S)  
• Have the right to live and work in the UK at time of starting employment (S) 
• Experience with the use of CAD software packages (S&I) 
• Ability to communicate optimally in written and/or verbal formats, using appropriate methods and tools to suit the audience and context (S&I)
• Ability to find creative solutions to technical challenges (I)  
• Flexibility to work on multi-disciplinary projects (I)  
• Interest and science and engineering (I)  
• Awareness of engineering design and associated project management processes (S&I)

Desirable: 

• Interest in fluid mechanics and process engineering (I) 
• Practical laboratory or workshop experience (S&I) 
• Construction of electrical, electronic or mechanical systems (S&I) 
• Understanding of process safety, risk assessment and compliance with regulatory standards (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/

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!