Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw (DKO) University Research Fellowship - Accelerator Development With Rapiscan

BACKGROUND

The Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at the University of Manchester has been investing in Early Career Researchers for many years, increasing the diversity of our staff. These represent a strategic investment in outstanding researchers who will shape our future research portfolio. In 2026, we plan to appoint Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw University Research Fellowships in FSE. These fellowships are fixed term for 5 years and are an excellent stepping-stone to establishing an independent research career and gaining a full-time permanent academic position.

FSE and Rapiscan (https://www.rapiscansystems.com/en/) have for many years worked together on collaborative research in the field of security screening technologies. This has included development of x-ray CT baggage screening systems and research into novel instrumentation for x-ray cargo screening and metal detection. As a step in growing this strategic partnership we plan to appoint a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw University Research Fellowship in a joint venture between the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Rapiscan in strategic partnership with The Cockcroft Institute (https://www.cockcroft.ac.uk). The fellowship will have a focus in accelerator development, with consideration of applications to industrial applications such as security screening. Proposals should demonstrate how they align to the industrial partner priorities in any of the following areas:

• Development of novel RF accelerating structures to produce x-rays at the 1-10 MeV scale. This includes both high- or low-power approaches.
• Development of high-power RF sources with a focus on compact sources for industrial applications.
• Electron source design and dynamics, including but not limited to thermionic electron guns.
• Development of continuous and pulsed tube-based sources in the 100-500 keV range.
• Identification of emerging competitive accelerator or source technologies or with consideration of both performance and cost.
• Application of AI to accelerator control and feedback systems and to accelerator design. This is expected to be a supplementary element with a primary focus on hardware system development.

Rapiscan

Rapiscan are the world’s leading provider of security screening technology. Their product portfolio includes x-ray screening for cargo and vehicles, aviation x-ray CT scanners for hold and carry-on luggage, radiation detectors, trace chemical detectors and person screening. The products scale from technologies for screening cargo containers and even rail freight down to table-top and handheld devices.

Innovation is a core value of Rapiscan and they highly value the collaboration with academia in identifying and developing the next best technologies to transition to products. The collaborative approach with academia aims at ensuring that there is realised impact from fundamental research with technologies transitioned to products that will have positive results in border security, reducing the flow of illicit and dangerous goods into countries and reducing the economic and social costs of these activities.

Rapiscan is currently constructing their Science and Technology Innovation Centre at its site at Biddulph around 30 miles from the University of Manchester which is already home to its x-ray test facility and the points of contact for this role. This will support industrial accelerator development activities with access to HV labs and x-ray source bunkers.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to discuss with Rapiscan their priority areas of research before applying. Please contact Dr David Sharp dsharp@rapiscan.com, who is both the lead on collaborative research at Rapiscan and an academic in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Manchester.

The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester (www.manchester.ac.uk) enjoys a global reputation for its research and innovative approach to learning, with ongoing £1 billion investment in facilities, staff, and buildings. This builds on our tradition of success that stretches back 200 years. The birth of the modern computer, the splitting of the atom, the founding principles of modern economics, the discovery of graphene, and the birthplace of engineering – these and many more world-changing innovations have their roots at our University. We are at the forefront of the search for solutions to some of the world's most pressing problems, boasting strong collaborative links with industry and public services. In 2025, the university ranked second in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, a table of more than 2,500 universities globally, for our impact in addressing the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowships are fully aligned with the recently launched Manchester 2035 strategy and our EDIA goals, incorporating Our People, Our Values, Our Future.

The University of Manchester is a member of The Cockcroft Institute, is a collaboration between academia, national laboratories, industry and local economy, which brings together the best accelerator scientists, engineers, educators and industrialists to conceive, design, construct and use innovative instruments of discovery at all scales and lead the UK’s participation in flagship international experiments. It cultures the curiosity of emerging minds via education of the future generation and engages with industrial partners to generate wealth for the community that sustains us. This fellowship is in strategic partnership with the Cockcroft and so will be assessed in partnership with them against any other positions put forward by other Cockcroft partners.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Key contacts and information about the Faculty, Schools, Departments and Institutes can be found on our website (https://www.se.manchester.ac.uk/) and queries may be emailed to DKOFellows@manchester.ac.uk.

Applications should be submitted via the application form on Jobtrain together with the following supporting documents noting the maximum page numbers for each document:

1. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)
2. Please also upload your Research Proposal (2 pages), Academic Impact Statement (1 page) and Statement of Strategic Fit (1 page). These three documents must be combined into a single pdf (4 pages in total)

Proposals should also highlight their contribution to priority areas of research for the Faculty. Alignment to work in national and international priorities such as, but not limited to, those of the UK government technology priority areas, national laboratories, the Cockcroft Institute and European roadmaps for accelerator development is welcome.

Please ensure you indicate which Department you are applying to

Deadline for applications: 23.59 (UK time) Monday 30 March 2026.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The criteria for appointment will be based upon:

• Overall potential of the fellowship to establish and maintain a distinctive and outstanding research and/or innovation activity
• The quality of the proposal, particularly in relation to potential impact and deliverables
• The relevance of the proposal to funders, industrial and/or policy stakeholders
• Potential to act as an ambassador and advocate in their field
• Ability to teach and communicate effectively with undergraduate and postgraduate students in the host department of choice

SELECTION PROCESS

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by a panel, independently chaired by a Head of School. A shortlist of candidates will be drawn and presented to the Faculty. An interview panel chaired by the Vice President and Dean of the Faculty will carry out the final interview.

Applications are particularly welcomed from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants who are currently under-represented at this level. Appointments will be made on merit. We will also support requests to hold the award part-time over a proportionately longer period. Research excellence is the main criterion on which these University Research Fellowships are awarded. However, career breaks as well as unconventional research career paths will be taken into account. Evaluations will be monitored to identify potential biases, e.g. in terms of gender and race, to guarantee transparency, fairness and impartiality in the treatment of proposals.

The University actively fosters a culture of inclusion and diversity and seeks to achieve true equality of opportunity for all members of its community. The Faculty is committed to having a representative workforce. Across the Schools, we hold Bronze and Silver Athena SWAN Awards, which recognise our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly the advancement of women’s education and careers in STEM.

The University also holds a Bronze Race Charter Mark recognising our commitment to improving the representation, progression and success of minority ethnic staff and students within higher education. In addition, we are a Disability Confident Employer, guaranteeing an interview to any disabled applicant who meets the minimum requirements for the role.

Full details relating to eligibility; appointment details/conditions; and application procedure are outlined in the Guidance Notes that accompany this scheme.

Key Dates

What you will get in return:

• Fantastic market leading Pension scheme
• Excellent employee health and wellbeing services including an Employee Assistance Programme
• Exceptional starting annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays
• Additional paid closure over the Christmas period
• Local and national discounts at a range of major retailers, and more.

Please be aware that due to the number of applications we unfortunately may not able to provide individual feedback on your application.

Please note that we are unable to respond to enquiries, accept CVs or applications from Recruitment Agencies.

Any recruitment enquiries from recruitment agencies should be directed to recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Any CV’s submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Email: DKOFellows@manchester.ac.uk

General enquiries:

Email: recruitmentservices.people@manchester.ac.uk

Technical support:

0161 850 2004 https://jobseekersupport.jobtrain.co.uk/support/home

This vacancy will close for applications at midnight on the closing date.

Please see the link below for the Further Particulars document which contains the person specification criteria.