What if you could work with remarkable people on extraordinary things? What if the end result was something a little bit special? What if your role was mission critical?
For nearly 70 years, AWE has been at the forefront of nuclear weapons research and development. We have a critical mission: to provide the warheads for the UK’s ultimate deterrent – Trident. We also use our unique skills to provide wider UK government with counter-terrorism and nuclear threat reduction solutions.
It takes a special sort of person to work at AWE. What if that person was you?
Would you like to work alongside the brightest Scientists within the Physics industry? We’re looking for a Physics Laboratory Technician to support the innovative work we do at AWE. There is an opportunity to join the team and help develop and deliver diagnostic capabilities in support of hydrodynamic experiments. These experiments typically use high-explosives to generate conditions that last milliseconds with materials travelling at kilometres per second. Highly reliable bespoke diagnostics are required to accurately obtain the required data from each experiment. Often the applied techniques have evolved from standard scientific and industrial tools with the current diagnostic suite including optical velocimetry, pyrometry and high-speed imaging.
If you have experience in the design, manufacture and deployment of bespoke optical-electrical diagnostic systems… we want to hear from you!
Physics Laboratory Technician
Location: Reading/Basingstoke area
Salary: £26,200-£36,000 (salary is dependent on skills and experience)
Closing Date: 11th August 2023
As part of our People Promise, AWE (one of the best 25 big companies to work for in the UK) has a range of benefits to suit you. These include:
- Time to recharge your batteries with 270 hours of annual leave (plus every other Friday off work)
- Consideration for flexible working arrangements so that your work may fit in with your lifestyle. Just let us know on your application if you wish to work part time
- Opportunities for Professional Career Development that include funding for the annual membership of a relevant professional body, access to mentors and training
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services
- A generous defined contribution Group Personal Pension (we will pay between 9% and 13% of your pensionable pay depending on your own contribution)
- Life Assurance
- Discounts – access to savings on a wide range of everyday spending
- Special Leave Policy including paid time off for volunteering, public service (including reserve forces) and caring for your family
- A host of voluntary & core benefits to suit your health and wellbeing – more information available on our careers site
The Role?
The successful candidate will be familiar with identifying and assessing laboratory hazards and putting in place the most appropriate measures to remove, minimise and manage the hazards. The ability to write and use automation and hardware control software (e.g. LabVIEW) is an important skill for the role; having an awareness of setting-up and managing a laser-controlled area would also be beneficial.
This role is an exciting opportunity to join a vibrant, experienced and supportive team using cutting edge equipment to help deliver AWE’s mission.
Key accountabilities:
- Apply technical knowledge and skills in the operation, fault finding and repair of local laboratory capabilities and assets, owning the availability and performance of assigned, specific, specialist hardware
- Apply technical knowledge and skills to improve operational performance of laboratory equipment, working autonomously to resolve issues with technical equipment
- Follow a range of established technical processes, operating procedures, and standards
- Deliver technical objectives to time, scope, and quality
- Maintain knowledge and skills in technical field
- Maintain and promote high personal standards in environment, safety, health, security, and quality
Key responsibilities:
- Undertake specialist laboratory science support activities, including the operation of specialist equipment, following a range of approved procedures and methods and provide input to improve quality and efficiency of system performance
- Prepare laboratory for science activities using appropriate techniques, procedures and methods and assist in developing technical improvements
- Proactively ensure laboratory capabilities are maintained as appropriate and available for use, as scheduled
- Provide technical support for continuous laboratory improvement activities
- Ensure documentation for laboratory processes and hardware is maintained
- Prepare new documentation as required/appropriate for laboratory activities
- Produce reliable and accurate data and keep accurate records of work undertaken and associated results
- Test the reliability and accuracy of data acquisition methods
- May be required to perform safety related roles, e.g. COSHH Assessor; Manual Handling Assessor
We will consider applications from individuals with relevant technical knowledge and experience with a proven ability to work autonomously in a physics orientated laboratory environment.
Candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role.
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Please note that you must be a British National to apply for a role with us.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants. Any inclusion information you provide us will be used to encourage and support you through the application process and will be held only for this purpose in accordance with GDPR.