About this Fellowship

Be part of something NEW!  The Daphne Jackson Trust has launched a new fellowship. Research Technical Professional (RTP) Fellowships support those who have taken a career break of two or more years for family, health or caring reasons and want to return to a technical role.

Applications are invited for a two year part-time (0.5 FTE) Daphne Jackson Research Technical Professional Fellowship sponsored by The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) with an emphasis on retraining. The Fellowship is intended for individuals who would like to return to work within Physics or Engineering and join the field of Time & Frequency, based at NPL’s Teddington Site.

NPL is the UK’s National Measurement Institute and is a world-leading centre of excellence in developing and applying the most accurate measurement standards, science, and technology available. For more than a century NPL has developed and maintained the nation’s primary measurement standards. NPL ensures that cutting-edge measurement science and technology have a positive impact in the real world and deliver world-leading measurement solutions that are critical to commercial research and development, and support business success across the UK and the globe. Its mission is to provide the measurement capability that underpins the UK’s prosperity and quality of life.

Daphne Jackson Trust Research Technical Professional Fellowships

The Daphne Jackson Trust is dedicated to returning research professionals to their careers following a break of two years or more taken for a family, caring or health reason.

Daphne Jackson Research Technical Professional Fellowships are unique – offering individuals wishing to return to a research technical professional career after a break of two or more years, the opportunity to conduct an individually tailored retraining programme in a suitably supportive environment.

The unparalleled support offered by the Trust’s Fellowship Advisors and administrative staff, coupled with mentoring and retraining provided during the Fellowship, give returners the confidence and skills they need to successfully return to work.

For further details about the eligibility criteria and application process, please visit www.daphnejackson.org. For further information before submitting an application please contact the Daphne Jackson Trust via email at djmft@surrey.ac.uk.

About the role

NPL are looking for someone with a passion for experimental physics and an interest to return to their science & research career to join their Time and Frequency Department. NPL are expanding their portfolio of projects which involve a broad range of complex systems including optical frequency combs, optical atomic clocks, ultrastable lasers and a fibre link network infrastructure, which are all interlinked through their mission to develop a new generation of optical clocks in anticipation of a redefinition of the SI second. The Fellowship will be based at their Teddington site and will use your analytical and problem-solving skills to contribute to the design, implementation, and/or operation of these systems which will push the boundary of measurement accuracy and stability (system and project will be defined based on candidate experience). You will have a strong practical aptitude and will use your experience in experimental laboratory work to complete tasks requiring high attention to detail.

Highly desirable skills

• Previous experience with lasers and optics, precision measurement, use of test and measurement instrumentation.
• Proficient in relevant software such as Python & Labview (or similar) for hardware interfacing, data acquisition and data analysis.
• Experience in electronics and RF/microwave hardware/instrumentation.
• Sound skills in instrumentation and electronics design.
• Communicate clearly and collaborate with colleagues in your team.
• Enjoy problem solving and can demonstrate critical thinking, assessing the pros and cons of your approach.
• Understand the value of providing good customer service to both internal and external customers, wanting to meet and exceed customer expectations through delivering high quality work with proactive communications.
• Committed to personal development and taking on learning opportunities to get the most from the role.

About NPL

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, they believe their success is a result of the diversity and talent of their people. They strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of their commitment to diversity & inclusion, they hold memberships and accreditations to ensure they’re creating an environment where all colleagues feel supported and welcome, please their Diversity & Inclusion page.

A printable information sheet can be downloaded here

and more information about how the Daphne Jackson Trust is working with NPL can be found in our recent blog https://daphnejackson.org/news/restarting-careers-with-the-national-physical-laboratory/

How to apply

To be considered for this opportunity, please complete the CV, personal details and personal statement forms on the Daphne Jackson Trust website https://daphnejackson.org/research-technical-professional-fellowships/how-to-apply-for-a-research-technical-professional-fellowship/

Please note that for this new Research Technical Professional Fellowship a PhD is not essential.

Email your submission to the Daphne Jackson Trust office at djmft@surrey.ac.uk stating clearly, ‘NPL RTP Fellowship Application’.

Closing date for applications is 25th November 2024

Following shortlisting by the Daphne Jackson Trust, NPL will undertake an internal selection process to identify the preferred candidates.