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Careers

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Why work with us

PPD offers the opportunity to work on world-leading research, innovative technology, and large-scale experiments that make a real-world impact. With flexible working, professional development, and a supportive environment, you can pursue your career while balancing life outside the lab.

View our vacancies

Fellowships

PPD supports early-career researchers through fellowships and grant opportunities, providing access to world-class facilities, mentoring, and collaborative projects. These schemes help you develop your research, build your career, and contribute to cutting-edge particle physics.

Explore fellowships and grants
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Studentships

The Particle Physics Department (PPD) offers studentships and research opportunities for undergraduates, postgraduates, and early-career researchers. Work alongside world-leading scientists, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge experiments, and develop the skills to shape the future of particle physics.

PhD studentships

Every year, PPD offers several PhD studentships in experimental particle physics, in partnership with a UK university. Work within leading research groups on a wide range of topics across high-energy and rare-event physics.

Discover our PhD studentships
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A group of summer students. They are on a hill and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory can be seen in the background.

Summer studentships

PPD offers summer studentships for undergraduates to gain hands-on experience in particle physics research. Work alongside world-class scientists, explore cutting-edge experiments, and develop skills that could shape your future career in science and technology.

Apply for summer studentships

Graduates

STFC recruits graduates each year into a two‑year development programme. Graduates join in a permanent role from day one, gaining hands‑on experience alongside structured technical and soft‑skills training that supports their transition from academia to professional practice.
Our graduate scheme
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Industrial placements

Industrial placements typically last 12 months and form part of a sandwich degree. Students gain hands‑on experience of working on real projects whilst developing technical and soft skills to complement their academic studies.
Our industrial placements

Work experience

Every year, PPD staff members supervise several students on projects across experimental particle physics, computing, software engineering, and communications. The STFC Work Experience programme is available to students in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 at schools based in the UK (S4, S5 and S6 in Scotland).
Learn more
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How you can make an impact

At PPD, your work contributes to groundbreaking discoveries in particle physics, dark matter, neutrinos, and advanced instrumentation. Whether through research, technical development, or data analysis, every role helps advance science, inspire innovation, and deliver real-world impact.

A group of summer students. They are on a hill and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory can be seen in the background.
Person typing on a laptop in a laboratory, surrounded by cables and experimental equipment
Aerial ​View of Harwell Campus including RAL
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Two people in a archive room surrounded by files.
Technology staff members testing readout chips for Darkside-20K Silicon Photomulitpliers in the R115.
Group of PPD staff and summer students having lunch at an outside table.
Large Hadron Collider at CERN. Credit: CERN

Opportunities at CERN

PPD collaborates closely with CERN, offering UK scientists access to world-class experiments, cutting-edge technology, and international research networks at every career stage. Explore fellowships, internships, and career opportunities to work at the forefront of particle physics.

Find out more
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A PhD at RAL is an incredible opportunity to be fully immersed in a world-class research environment, where you can learn from a supportive team of experts in the field. 

Rosie Hasan, PhD student at the Particle Physics Department

Rewards and benefits

At PPD, we recognise the value you bring and provide a package designed to support your career, wellbeing, and work-life balance. Flexible working, professional development, and tailored benefits help you perform at your best while enjoying your work and life outside the lab.

Discover our rewards and benefits
Aerial view of ISIS Neutron and Muon Source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory

Explore careers at PPD

Join our world-class particle physics team and contribute to groundbreaking research, cutting-edge experiments, and innovative technologies.

View our vacancies

Contact PPD

Get in touch to push the boundaries of particle physics with world-leading expertise and facilities.




    Team member