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

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 (Rapiscan Systems) have for many years collaborated on research in security screening technologies, including the development of x-ray CT baggage screening systems and 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. The fellowship will focus on accelerator development, with consideration of applications to industrial applications such as security screening. Proposals should demonstrate alignment 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 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 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 rail freight to table-top and handheld devices.

Innovation is a core value of Rapiscan and they highly value collaboration with academia to identify and develop the next best technologies to transition to products. The collaborative approach aims to ensure 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 and the associated costs.

Rapiscan is constructing its Science and Technology Innovation Centre at its site in Biddulph, about 30 miles from the University of Manchester, which already hosts its x-ray test facility and is the point 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 Rapiscan priority areas of research before applying. Please contact Dr David Sharp (), 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 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 long tradition of success. We are at the forefront of solutions to global problems, with strong collaborative links to industry and public services. In 2025, the university ranked second in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings for impact in addressing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellowships are aligned with the Manchester 2035 strategy and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDIA) goals.

The University of Manchester is a member of The Cockcroft Institute and is a collaboration between academia, national laboratories, industry and the local economy. The Cockcroft partnership will be used to assess this fellowship against other positions from Cockcroft partners.

Key contacts and information about the Faculty, Schools, Departments and Institutes can be found on our website and queries may be emailed to . Applications should be submitted via the Jobtrain application form with the following supporting documents, noting the maximum page numbers for each document:

1. Curriculum Vitae (2 pages)
2. Research Proposal (2 pages)
3. Academic Impact Statement (1 page)
4. Statement of Strategic Fit (1 page). These three documents must be combined into a single PDF (4 pages in total)

Proposals should highlight alignment to priority areas of research for the Faculty and to national and international priorities where relevant (e.g., UK government technology priorities, national laboratories, the Cockcroft Institute and European roadmaps for accelerator development).

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 to establish and maintain a distinctive and outstanding research and/or innovation activity
• The quality of the proposal and 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 by a panel, and shortlisted by a chair. A shortlist of candidates will be presented to the Faculty. An interview panel will conduct the final interview.

Applications are welcome from women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic applicants who are currently under-represented. Appointments will be made on merit. We will support requests to hold the award part-time. Evaluations will be monitored to identify potential biases and to guarantee transparency, fairness and impartiality in the treatment of proposals.

The University actively fosters inclusion and diversity and seeks to achieve true equality of opportunity. The Faculty holds Athena SWAN Awards and a Bronze Race Charter Mark, recognising commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. 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 conditions, and the application procedure are outlined in the Guidance Notes accompanying this scheme.

1. Date Call issued: Friday 20 February 2026
2. Deadline for applications: 23:59 Monday 30 March 2026
3. Shortlisting completed: Friday 01 May 2026
4. Invitations to first interview issued: Friday 08 May 2026
5. First interviews: Week beginning 11 May 2026
6. Invitations for final interview issued: Friday 15 May 2026
7. Final interviews: Tuesday 09 June, Wednesday 10 June or Thursday 11 June 2026
8. Outcomes notified to interviewees: Monday 15 June 2026
9. Fellowship Start date: as soon as possible after announcement of success

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 may not be 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 should be directed to . Any CVs submitted by a recruitment agency will be considered a gift.

Enquiries about the vacancy, shortlisting and interviews:

Email:

General enquiries:

Email:

Technical support:

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

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