The Science Research Council was formed in 1965 to support research and postgraduate education in science and technology in universities. It is one of five research councils responsible to the Secretary of State for Education and Science.
The Council carries out its own research and also provides facilities for research by university scientists in its seven establishments:-
The London Office of the Council is located at State House, High Holborn WC1R 4TA.
The Rutherford Laboratory, largest of the establishments, is directed by G H Stafford, with a staff totalling 1200. Founded in 1957 under the charter of the National Institute for Research in Nuclear Science, this high energy physics research establishment was officially opened in 1964. About 160 physicists from universities, the Atomic Energy Research Establishment and the Rutherford Laboratory itself are working on experimental programmes using the 7 GeV Proton Synchrotron Nimrod. Experimental equipment includes a large bubble chamber, and an IBM 360/195 computer. Research and development work is carried out on instrumentation important in high energy physics, for example, accelerators, particle beam systems, automatic data handling systems, and superconducting magnets. There is a nuclear and radiochemistry laboratory, with facilities for chemists who use accelerators to irradiate materials.
The work of the Laboratory is organised on a divisional basis. There are eight divisions and their functions are as follows.
Further details about the work of the Rutherford Laboratory are available in the Laboratory's Annual Reports which are available in the Library.
3.1 Divisional Administrative Officers (DAOs) work with the divisions. A major part of their work is in helping staff and visitors to make the best use of the wide range of administrative services which are available.
3.2 Local administration offices run by staff responsible to DAOs are in Buildings R2, R12 and R25. They hold a wide range of stationery, forms, travel information etc., and will advise on detailed administrative matters, including typing, duplicating and photocopying.
3.3 A stationery store is in the basement of building R1, serving Buildings R1, R20, R25 and the buildings immediately adjacent.
3.4 Advice on the purchasing and withdrawal of stores can be given by DAOs who work in close touch with the stores and office service sections.
3.5 Internal telephone directories are available from DAOs or from Accommodation Section, Building R1 and are a useful source of local information.
3.6 The Library (Building R20) holds a wide range of periodicals and scientific reports related to the work of the Laboratory together with a stock of reference books. The Librarian can give an introduction to the AERE Library where a comprehensive service is available.
Alterations or repairs to main Laboratory services are undertaken by the Central Engineering Group:
Mechanical, including heating, water and gas ...... Bld R9 Ext 504 Electrical, including power, lighting and heating.. Bld R18 Ext 573 Civil ............................................. Bld R32 Ext 392
Names of Duty Technicians responsible for services in the NIMROD area can be obtained from the NIMROD Divisional Admin Office, Ext 6615 or the NIMROD Main Control Room, Ext 217.
The full postal address of the Laboratory is:
Rutherford Laboratory Chilton Didcot Berkshire OX11 0QX Telephone: Abingdon 1900 Telex: 83159 Telegrams: Ruthlab. Telex. Abingdon
The Restaurant is open at the following times:
Breakfast Mon - Fri 0800 - 0930 hours
Lunch Mon - Fri 1145 - 1345 hours
Sat and Sun 1200 - 1330 hours
Evening Meal Mon - Fri 1730 - 1930 hours
Sat and Sun 1730 - 1930 hours
The Restaurant Shop, selling newspapers, periodicals, sweets, cigarettes, tobacco and some groceries is open Monday to Friday 0800 - 1400 hours.
Shopping facilities are available at the AERE, Harwell shopping centre. There is a newsagent, general supermarket, butcher, post office, dry cleaners and hairdressers (by appointment only). There is also a branch of Lloyds Bank, at which visitors may arrange to cash cheques. A bank representative calls at the Cash Office, Building R20, every Wednesday during the lunch hour. A bus runs between the shopping centre and the Laboratory during the lunch break, leaving the Laboratory (Building R1) every 20 minutes between noon and 1340 hours.
1. Hostels and Hotels The Cosener's House, Abingdon, is a hostel maintained primarily for the use of visitors. Hotel bookings can be arranged when the hostel is full. Bookings for hotels are arranged through DAOs and for the hostel by the Manageress of The Cosener's House, Telephone: Abingdon 3198.
AERE hostels at Abingdon and at AERE are also available to Rutherford Laboratory staff. Bookings are arranged through DAOs or through Accommodation Section, Building R1.
2. Dormitories 13 single bedrooms with adjacent shower and toilet facilities are available in Building R2. Beds may be booked through the Administration Office, Building R2, Ext 6615. This accommodation is intended for use by those who sometimes need to sleep close to their work and is not an alternative to a hostel or hotel.
3. Laboratory and Office Accommodation this is allocated by DAOs.
(i) Annual Leave: Your allowance is stated in your letter of appointment. Application for any period of leave is made on your leave card (kept usually by your DAO) and must be approved by your Group Leader or immediate supervisor before leave is taken.
(ii) Sick Leave:
(a) Certificated Illness - see note on Reporting Procedure given to you on arrival.
(b) Uncertificated Illness - leave may be allowed up to 10 days in any 12 months, in periods not exceeding 5 days at any one time. Form N135 must be completed on return to duty.
In both cases staff are requested to inform Section Leaders of sickness as soon as possible.
(iii) Special Leave: May be granted in exceptional circumstances. Applications to be made to the Personnel Officer.
Your salary scale and your initial salary is stated in your letter of appointment. Queries should be referred to:
Monthly paid staff: Salaries Section, telephone ext 395
Weekly paid staff: Wages Section, telephone ext 385
Pay cards for weekly paid staff should be signed by your supervisor and handed in to the Local Administration Office by 0900 am each Friday morning. Special arrangements are made prior to holidays.
(i) Commuting: There is a bus service, covering a wide radius for morning and evening travel with a more restricted service covering shift, overtime and weekend working. Full details of services may be obtained from DAOs, season tickets from. Personnel Group, Building R20 and single (casual) tickets from the Cash Office (Building R20, ext 390).
(ii) Official: For local journeys, self-drive cars and vans are available to permit-holders, who must have held a full driving licence for twelve months. Applications to become a permit-holder are made through Group Leaders to the Transport Officer, Building R54. Booking sheets are held in DAOs offices and the Transport Section.
Employees may, in certain circumstances., use their private cars for official business and claim an allowance for the mileage. The conditions under which the allowance is paid are set out in SRC GNs 29/73 and 31/73, copies of which are held by DAOs.
(iii) Foreign: Airline tickets and foreign hotel reservations are booked through Travel Section (Building R20, ext 575). Visas for foreign visits are also arranged there.
There are fixed rates for mileage and other expenses for staff required to travel on official business or for working away from the Laboratory. Further details and claim forms are obtainable from DAOs.
All claims should be submitted within one month to the Claims Officer in Building R20, Room 66, ext 585.
Personnel Group arrange for staff to attend a large variety of training courses organised by Government Departments and other bodies. In addition younger staff are encouraged to continue their education, particularly in courses beneficial to their work. Your supervisor will be glad to discuss and explain the possibilities in this field and further information is obtainable from the Training Officer, Building R2O, Room 77, Ext 555.
All staff are encouraged to become members of their appropriate Staff Association or Trades Union. Personnel Section will be pleased to put you in touch with your local representative. The following Associations and Unions are recognised at the Laboratory:
Institute of Professional Civil Servants (IPCS)
Society of Civil Servants (SCS)
Association of Government Supervising and Radio Officers (AGSRO)
Civil, Public Services Association (CPSA)
The Amalgamated Union of Engineering and Foundry Workers (AEF)
The Electrical, Electronic and Telecommunication Union - The Plumbing Trades Union (EETU/PTU)
The National Federation of Construction Unions (NFCU)
The Transport and General Workers Union (T&GW)
The General and Municipal Workers Union (NUGMW)
