​This year’s new placement students have arrived! ISIS neutron and muon source employs around 30 placement students across the department, fulfilling a vast array of roles from instrument development to public engagement, giving our students the opportunity to experience a buzzing scientific workplace.

Elemental Analysis Instrumentation Developer.

My department fires muons at historical artefacts, embedding them in the object. We then record their interactions with atoms, using detectors, as they go through decay processes. From analysing the spectra produced, we can determine the elemental composition of the artefact in a way that doesn’t damag​e it! 

Neutron Scattering and Instrumentation Development Student

My role involves helping with different techniques for use on the beamline. Currently I’m getting to grips with a technique called QCM-D, and will have to use a different piece of equipment that is more portable for direct use on the beamline. One of my other projects that I’m working on now is looking at Peltiers and heatsinks on soli​d-liquid cells to 

allow more precise temperature control. 

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Public Engagement student

My role is to get the public engaged in science by

doing cool activities. For example, at our open day I will be making mini solar cars and explaining how that links to the research we do here at ISIS.

Neutron Detector Development Student

I am currently working on a developing a detector called NitroGEM which is a neutron monitor that will be shipped out to build the LOKI beamline, at the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden. 

My current projects are testing of preamplification boards for the detector and exploring methods of discriminating between gamma ray and neutron traces with postprocessing.

Soon I will be assembling another NitroGEM to compliment the one already assembled 

and testing on TS1 before shipping. 

The outcome of our experiments! It’s a useful tool towards understanding a civilisation. For instance, analysis of Roman silver coins over periods of the Roman Empire can show smaller amounts of silver at times than usual; this is informative regarding the fiscal health of the empire at that time.

Probably getting to work with lots of other scientists from other disciplines – as a Chemist it is really interesting to work with Biologists, Physicists, Computer Scientists and more, all of whom work at the facility carrying out cutting edge research. 

Thinking that you might have opened a door, allowing someone’s curiosity about science to grow. That it could take them anywhere, not necessarily just academia or research which I think is sometimes an assumed endpoint of a science degree.

The fact the detectors I am working on will be used in ESS as a key part of a beamline is incredibly exciting. I am also enjoying working on the LOKI beamline monitors, as they use a novel way to detect neutrons with Nitrogen.

I wanted to be a part of a scientific community outside of academia. I was really interested to see how it differs from an academic research setting.

As a Chemist, I wanted to work somewhere that wasn’t a ‘typical lab’ – and the fact that ISIS is a larger facility than I am used to, carrying out science with small particles (neutrons) intrigued me. An added bonus is it that its relatively close to home for me!

It wasn’t so much ISIS as it was the role, I didn’t realise that I could get paid for telling/showing people that science is cool!

The projects are real and not vanity/placement-only projects. Your work is valued and you feel a part of the group.

A little direction career-wise and a taste of the working world! Also it’s a really good opportunity to develop new and existing skills which I can carry forward in my degree and career later on.

I’d like to become more familiar with a working scientific environment, as well as using and building on my skills from my degree. I’d like to become more confident with various techniques and better at working independently. I’d also like to meet lots of interesting scientists!

Everything and anything. I hope I gain as many experiences from as many opportunities that I can possibly take advantage of, in all different areas and I hope to gain a belief that I know that I can do anything.

A deeper understanding of what working in science is really like, and to talk to a lot of people from different fields to get an idea of ongoing and exciting work.

The structured working day means I am generally less stressed as I get to leave work behind and experience a weekend. What you’re working on, and towards, is also generally more useful of a contribution to science as opposed to a piece of paper with my name on it.

I’ve only been here for a month or so, but I’m appreciating that there isn’t a set timetable (lectures, workshops etc). Although there are some regular events each week, I enjoy planning my time to make sure everything gets done. This was a challenge at first, but I think I have adjusted well! I’m also enjoying coming home from work and being able to relax more.

The main difference I think, is the switch off period. In university, you leave the lecture hall but the work finds a way to follow you home. But in working life its different, because yes, I think about it outside of the office but it’s not as strong of an attachment.

The 9 to 5 routine took adjusting too, but the work life balance feels better. Its nice to leave work and not think about work much or have to study!

Maybe teaching and research in higher education or just research. No idea really, but definitely in science, otherwise I would be bored!

Not at the moment – I’m grateful for the opportunity to experience this type of work environment and it has given me a lot to think about already for my future!

Yes, I would really like to make a tool that schools can use or kids can watch, that just gets them crazy about science and helps to reduce the stigma that science is 1, Boring and 2, That it is only for certain genders or races. Hopefully in doing/making this, adults will see that you’re never too old to be curious. Currently, I don’t know what this tool is, but it could be anything from a series of music videos talking about the periodic table to a computer game illustrating a science topic for students. Plus, if all else fails, I think a Nobel Prize would like nice on my shelf.

Definitely something in big science! I have found working at a large institution very exciting.

I wanted a break from academia as sometimes it can get intense, and you forget why you chose you degree in the first place. I also wanted some experience so I can get an idea of what science outside of academia is like and maybe use this to decide what might be for me career-wise.

I have always wanted to do a Placement year - in fact I chose the University of Bath based on the Placement opportunities available there. I really value collaboration and doing a Placement in a collaborative and inclusive company is really important for me. 

Well, firstly I needed a break because university is a lot. But I also wanted to see if this is something I could do long term because it is away from the traditional role of what a science degree generally leads to.

To see if working in science is for me and to bolster the CV with a good reference and gain lots of experience.

Try not to be too nervous. Everyone’s lovely. Nobody bites (in my experience at least). If there’s something you want to do, talk to your supervisor, everyone’s happy to help.

Talk to everyone, go to lots of seminars, and make the most of your time here at STFC!

Do everything! If you hear about a talk, go and listen. If there’s an event, go and visit. On my first day I saw a documentary about the possibility of fusion as a new energy source and it’s not something I’ve really heard about before, but it was a brilliant watch.

Enjoy it! Make sure to meet other placement students and share your experiences.