Work Experience at the UK Astronomy Technology Centre (ROE)

The UK Astronomy Technology Centre is sited at the Royal Observatory of Edinburgh, along with part of the Edinburgh University Institute for Astronomy. The UK ATC is the national centre for astronomical technology. Our specialist engineers design and build instruments for many of the world's major telescopes. We also project-manage UK and international collaborations. Our project scientists carry out observational and theoretical research into fundamental questions such as the origins of planets and of galaxies.

The UK ATC is a major establishment of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). Inspiring young people and the wider public is one of the STFC's main objectives. This is achieved through a focused programme of public engagement, promoting careers in science, engineering and technology to maintain the quality of the UK programme. In line with this commitment UK ATC offer a limited number of work experience placements in 2024.

Please note that the UK ATC cannot help with travel or accommodation expenses. Please ensure you know how you will travel to the lab each day, before applying for a placement.

In 2024, the UK ATC will be delivering two separate weeks of on-site engineering-focussed work experience for a limited number of S4, S5 and S6 pupils. We expect the application process for these to be competitive and we will offer preference to local applicants.

You can see sample questions from our application form online and we recommend that you look through these before beginning your application.

Once you are ready you can fill out our online application form (you can always save your application and come back to it at a later time)

Applications via the online form close on 15th March 2024.

All applicants will hear from us by the end of April, letting them know if they have been offered a placement.

If have any queries about work experience after reading the information here there is more information on our work experience pages and you can email us at ukatcworkexp@stfc.ac.uk

The Royal Observatory Edinburgh comprises the UK Astronomy Technology Centre of the Science and Technology Facilities Council, the Institute for Astronomy of the University of Edinburgh, the Higgs Centre for Innovation and the ROE Visitor Centre.