Engineering Year in Industry 2024

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.

Our Year in Industry programme

The 12 month ‘Year in Industry’ scheme allows undergraduate students studying for a relevant degree to gain experience working in across different teams at Diamond.

You will work on your own project during the year by collaborating with your group and staff all across the organisation along with the support from your supervisor/s. Diamond has an excellent track record for helping students execute work which is valued not only by Diamond staff but also our User community.

We have also welcomed previous Year in Industry students back to Diamond as they work and study towards one of our competitive joint PhD studentships or as part of our Graduate Software scheme, which shows how impactful our placements can be.

In addition to working on your own project, you will also have the opportunity to get involved with other areas of work at Diamond to gain a wider view of the full range of what our facility does. You will be encouraged to learn about research teams based at Diamond and other facilities on-site at the Harwell Campus, and to participate in public engagement events, and in communicating science to a wider audience.

See what our 2021 Year in Industry students had to say about our programme

My placement at Diamond has given me invaluable skills that I will take with me throughout my career going forward. Diamond has been an incredibly supportive environment with great people, and a very collaborative atmosphere. (Jemima, 2021 Year in Industry Engineering student)

Project title: Magnetically Levitating Sample Scanner

The stability and accuracy of sample scanning stages directly define the Synchrotron X-ray microscope tomography & ptychography resolution. As the X-ray detectors and X-ray sources improve so must the motion systems to keep Diamond’s standing as a world class research facility.

The cutting edge motion stage technology is now magnetic levitation (Maglev) which is employed with nanometre accuracy during computer chip manufacture. The aim of this project is to design, build, test and document such a stage.

We are looking for a student to design a new maglev stage, building on previous in-house developments and in the process learn, apply and understand the implications of mechatronics driven design.

By the end of the project the successful student will be able to demonstrate:

• 3D CAD design (Using Creo Software)
• Thermal, mechanical & vibrational finite element analysis (Using ANSYS)
• Non-linear control, dynamic analysis in the time and frequency domain (Using MATLAB Simulink)
• Electronics, sensors, coils, PCB design
• Electromagnetic simulation (Using ANSYS)
• Project management and budgeting skills

What we're looking for

Essential criteria for applications

• Strong background in mechanical engineering or related field
• An interest in electronics or related fields
• Demonstrated understanding of mechatronics
• Knowledge of permanent and electromagnets

Desirable criteria for applicants

• Hands on assembly & testing experience
• Successfully completed university modules in control theory
• Successfully completed university modules in dynamics and vibration
• Demonstrated experience with programming

This project is suitable for students following degrees in the following broad subject areas: Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechatronics.

Further information

Our Year in Industry students are paid £22,423 per annum. Training and experience are provided in the following areas:

• Presentation training to prepare for your final talk on your project
• Python programming (if applicable for your project)
• CAD Training (if applicable for your project)
• Public Engagement skills
• An internal programme of seminars and talks from leading scientists
• Tours and talks of other science facilities across the Harwell Campus

To apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role. You will need to either be a UK national or hold a Student visa, or otherwise have the right to work in the UK.

Placement students must be registered as an undergraduate for the duration of their time at Diamond and ensure that they can commit to the whole 12-month period (2 September 2024 - 29 August 2025). Applicants should be expecting to gain a first or 2:1 honours degree.

Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements, secondment and job share opportunities.

Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as at March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women. If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.

Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation), we have also achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze award and Disability Confident Level Two.

This role does not meet the required skill level for a Skilled Worker visa and therefore we would be unable to sponsor individuals due to the current UK Home Office immigration rules. To be appointed to the role, candidates will need to have the right to work in the UK without sponsorship from us.