Graduate R and D Assistant

Placement summary

Based in Wick in the North of Scotland, KP Technology designs and manufactures Kelvin Probe systems with the aim of bringing to the market new surface research tools.

There is now the opportunity for a 12-month graduate placement to work on a project to develop instrumentation/measurement techniques for solar cell, semiconductor and optical component characterisation.

Job description

Project Description

This is an excellent opportunity for a candidate with a physics or electronic engineering background interested in developing electrical and optical measurement techniques.

Role Description

Specific tasks of the placement will include:

• 
  Undertake training in relevant research techniques (Kelvin Probes, Photoemission, Spectrometers, Optical Spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy).
  
• 
  Review operation of solar cells, optical and electrical properties of thin films, and basic principles of electronic measurement circuits.
  
• 
  Gain an understanding of our business model, including system attributes and cost, understanding the client budget cycle.
  
• 
  Design of production prototypes such as light sources, pulse control and integrated data acquisition.
  
• 
  Integration of production prototypes into commercial system and carry out sample testing.
  
• 
  Develop light sources of intensity 1-3 sun and use them to measure the current/voltage output from solar cells.
  
• 
  Test applications of impedance spectroscopy and optical transmission spectroscopy of thin layers.
  
• 
  Produce report and presentation on work undertaken and conclusions.
  

For informal enquiries regarding this position please contact Prof. Iain Baikie on . There is flexibility around the start date for this placement.

This position is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.

Qualifications

• Minimum BSc Degree, preferably related to Physics, Electronics, Computing, Materials, Chemistry and General Engineering.
• Skills / Experience

Essential Skills

• 
  Background knowledge of scientific or electronics.
  
• 
  Knowledge in one or more of the following areas: physics, electronics,
  
• 
  semiconductor materials, computing, optics.
  
• 
  Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  
• 
  Enthusiastic and self-motivated.
  
• 
  Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.
  
• 
  Ability to prioritise work to meet deadlines.
  
• 
  Experience of personal research project/electronic circuit prototyping.
  
• 
  High level of IT literacy.
  
• 
  Proactive and willingness to learn.
  
• 
  Practical skills.
  

Desirable Skills

• 
  Clean driving licence.
  

Benefits

Company benefits

Upon successful completion of the project it is hoped that the graduate placement
would result in permanent employment, should the candidate meet the company's
needs, be a good fit with the core team and would like to develop their career in this field.