Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £16,608 per annum rising incrementally to £22,129 in the fourth year
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington
At the Hartree Centre, we help UK businesses use digital technologies to outperform their global competitors. We help to grow the UK economy, create skilled jobs and train people to excel in them. Most of all, we help to keep the UK at the forefront of industrial innovation enhancing the transition from design to product. The Hartree Centre is part of The Science and Technology Facilities Council, a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, 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. Our incredible diversity of research, technology and engineering projects truly fire the imagination and lead to real-world solutions which shape societies and transform lives.
We provide collaborative research, innovation and development services that accelerate the application of high performance computing (HPC), data analytics and artificial intelligence technologies. By working with us, businesses and research partners can gain a competitive advantage that enables them to produce better outcomes, products and services more quickly and cheaply than through conventional research and development.
The Application Support Group is the public facing side of the Hartree Centre and often the first that existing or potential customers come to for help with computing technology or to develop new solutions. You will be fully engaged in these activities and have the opportunity to contribute on a technical and possibly even “artistic” level.
We have a technically exciting computing environment, encompassing a wide range of hardware and software, but our staff are key to our success and we value them highly. Benefits of working for us include:
- Our state-of-the-art Sci-Tech Daresbury campus is lively and dynamic, co-locating a number of exiting high-tech SMEs and multi-disciplinary collaborations.
- Located in a picturesque semi-rural location with easy access to canal-side and woodland walking.
- High profile collaborations with organisations such as Rolls-Royce, EDF Energy, Dyson, Jaguar Landrover, Bentley, BAR, Unilever, and Schlumberger.
About an Apprenticeship at STFC
With training and support from experts in their fields, you’ll be enthusiastic about developing your knowledge, skills and behaviours, working towards completing your apprenticeship, gaining appropriate qualifications whilst making a real difference in your role.
If working with innovative technologies on world-leading research isn’t enough, you will develop both professionally and as a critical member of the team in an environment you won’t find anywhere else.
Our dedicated Apprenticeship Team will support you every step of the way, helping you make the most of your opportunities and to achieve the goals you already have – and those you have yet to discover!
We provide an opportunity to really pursue your interests and passion. You’ll have access to additional core skills development, access to a community of apprentices across the site, annual Apprentice awards evenings, a number of active sport and social groups across campus, and potential opportunities for overseas placements.
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 a list of our full benefits, please visit here
About the role
The Hartree Centre is looking to recruit a Visualisation Software Engineer Level 6 Degree Apprentice to the Application Support Group (part of the Technology, Services and Operations Group). You will be keen to learn and have a demonstrable interest in Graphical User Interface (GUI) and data visualisation software plus VR and Augmented Reality. Experience with VR and/or gaming engines such as Unreal Engine 4/5 or Unity and content creation software e.g. Blender, 3DSMax, GIMP, PhotoShop etc. would be beneficial.
We are looking for someone with excellent communication skills who can work effectively with all stakeholders from team members to users of the service. Full access will be provided to a range of high-end PCs with graphics processors (GPUs), cinema style presentation rooms and a multi-media VR/AR suite.
Alongside this, you will undertake professional development and training through a mix of day-release and block teaching with Manchester Metropolitan University completing the Digital Technology Solutions Professional Apprenticeship – Software Engineering. Travel expenses will be provided when attending in-person teaching.
The modules you will complete will be a combination of general computing principles applicable to all occupational areas, with specialist units focused on the requirements of developing competencies in a Software Engineering role.
Year 1:
- Introduction to Programming
- Introduction to Business Systems
- Database Fundamentals
- Digital Technology in Organisations and Society
Year 2:
- IT Project Management
- Networks and Security
- Advanced Programming
- Introduction to Web Development
Year 3:
- Software Design and Architecture
- Full Stack Web Development
- Enterprise Programming
- Operating Systems
Year 4:
- Software Testing and Quality Assurance
- Portfolio
- Optional Unit*
- Synoptic Project
- a range of optional units will be available to choose from in your 3rd year.
In your final year, you will also complete your work-based project before undertaking your End Point Assessment. The End Point Assessment will include a presentation between the university and STFC, covering the work-based project, your approach, outcome and the skills, knowledge and behaviours demonstrated. This will be assessed as part of the overall project assessment.
You will be supported in developing a portfolio of work-based projects to build and demonstrate the required skills, behaviours and knowledge required for this apprenticeship.
The qualifications you will achieve are:
- BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions
- Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Professional
Responsibilities in this role will include:
- Demonstrations to VIPs and potential customers of pre-existing solutions in cinema style presentation rooms – full support will be provided for this goal
- Support of applications for VR and AR platforms in a multi-media suite – including development and self-learning
- Working with Hartree staff on software and model development projects – involving mentoring and course based learning of object-oriented programming methodology
- Writing documentation and reports as required
In order to apply for the role, we are looking for the following:
Essential
- A strong and demonstrable interest in technology and computing
- Your CV and/or Cover Letter should give examples of personal or school/college projects that involved learning about using a programming language and/or hardware, and what you have enjoyed about this
- 5 GCSEs at grades C / 4 or above including English, Maths and an additional STEM subject achieved by September 2023.
- A minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points at A Level ( x 3 subjects at grades BCC or above) or an equivalent Level 3 qualification i.e. BTEC National Diploma (D,M,M)
- Please ensure that the subjects studied and results are included within your CV
- Familiarity with the concept of a computer operating system
- You will be able to describe / demonstrate awareness of the range of computer operating systems. It is expected you may be stronger in one area than the other
- Some experience with computer programming in any language
- For instance, you may have written a simple programme, web page or app in any programming language
- Excellent communication skills
- Quality of Covering Letter
- Particularly addressing the requirements of the role and which demonstrates an interest in Computing and Cyber Security
- Enthusiasm for systematic problem solving
- Interest in scientific research
- Understand why scientists need to use visual computing and VR to explore their data and models
- Interest in and experience of computer visualisation, games or VR systems and software
- Demonstrate ability to develop computer software to solve problems (
- Clear motivation and a good communicator
- Good team worker but also focussed and able to work independently
- Find out how and why we do things, challenge us, ask questions and suggest improvements
Desirable:
- Ability to work with a Windows based computer and install software on it
- A good ambassador, tell people what we do and how you are involved
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 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.
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.