The Science and Technology Facilities Council invites applications for access to the Octopus and Ultra facilities in the research complex at Harwell. The following modes of access are available in this call:

•direct access to Ultra or Octopus, for work requiring access for up to four weeks in a single six-month period;

•approved programme access to Ultra or Octopus;

The Octopus facility is operating with more than one user group simultaneously and applicants must apply for sufficient access to cover the use of each microscope. Applicants need to provide a set of specific objectives for the project which outline scientific excellence, international competitiveness and strategic value within the STFC/Central Laser Facility programme.

Facilities are available for use between December 2017 and May 2018.