Tom Dack, a graduate in the Scientific Computing Department (SCD), gave the JET graduates an overview of what goes on at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) and specifically the work carried out by SCD.

The JET graduates were treated to a tour of our Data Centre where they learned about the internationally- important work done by the data-intensive Tier 1 (part of the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid), JASMIN (a unique platform - part super computer, part data centre- for computing and storing UK and European environmental science data) and SCARF (a high-performance computing resource used by National facilities and their users).

“All of these facilities are housed in our Data Centre at RAL," said Tom. “The JET graduates discovered first-hand how important computing capability and skills are to modern scientific research. They may not have had much experience with scientific computing previously, but they now have some insight into how relevant it is to their own areas of research."

The visit to RAL was reciprocal as members of the STFC Graduate Scheme were given an introduction and tour of the JET facilities back in February. The tour of the SCD Data Centre was just part of a wider visit to some of the National facilities located here at RAL. The JET graduates also heard about the work of STFC RAL Space and viewed their Space test facilities, and toured the vast array of instruments in the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source.

For more information contact:

 Marion O'Sullivan