Harwell Science and Innovation Campus

How Diamond Light Source is Powering Industrial Breakthroughs. At the heart of Harwell Campus, Diamond Light Source is more than just the UK’s national synchrotron, it’s a powerhouse for industrial innovation. Led by Elizabeth Shotton, Diamond’s Industrial Liaison team is driving ground breaking collaborations across biotech, drug discovery, automotive, and aerospace, helping companies unlock new scientific insights and accelerate their research. Unlike traditional synchrotron facilities, Diamond takes a hands-on approach, working side-by-side with start ups and global giants like AstraZeneca, GSK, and Johnson & Johnson to design experiments, conduct analysis, and deliver real-world solutions. From helping a start up secure funding in just six weeks to supporting Janssen Research & Development in the fight against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, Diamond’s impact is transformational. This commitment to flexibility, speed, and service makes Diamond an essential partner for businesses looking to scale their research and commercialise innovation. And with Harwell’s collaborative environment, these partnerships thrive. Discover how Diamond Light Source is shaping the future of industrial science, read the blog post linked in the comments below 👇 #scienceandinnovation #biotech #drugdiscovery #innovation #scalinginnovation #collaboration #science #pharma #pharmaceuticals STFC

Happy Pi Day from Harwell Campus! Today, we’re celebrating Pi (π) Day – the infinite number that keeps the world of science, engineering, and innovation spinning! At Harwell Campus, π isn’t just about circles; it’s about particle accelerators, planetary orbits, precision engineering, and pioneering discoveries that push the boundaries of what’s possible. From space exploration to quantum computing, health tech to energy solutions, our campus is full of brilliant minds using the power of Pi (and maybe a slice of pie 🍰) to solve the world’s biggest challenges. So, whether you’re crunching numbers, coding algorithms, or just enjoying a well-earned slice of your favourite pie today, celebrate the magic of mathematics and the innovations it fuels at Harwell this Pi Day! #piday #stem #scienceandinnovation #piday2025 #infinitepossibilities

CO:LABS Welcomes The Rosalind Franklin Institute as First Founding Member. The Rosalind Franklin Institute has been announced as the first founding member of CO:LABS, a pioneering biotech accelerator dedicated to advancing early-stage ventures. Set to open in 2026 at Harwell Campus, CO:LABS will provide a state-of-the-art, 120,000 sq. ft lab space designed to help biotech start-ups scale, innovate, and commercialise ground breaking discoveries. As a founding member, the Franklin will play a critical role in supporting resident start-ups by delivering expert-led seminars and workshops on the latest research and industry trends, providing coaching and mentorship to help innovators navigate technical and strategic challenges, and offering guidance on biotech innovation, covering regulatory, commercial, and scientific insights. The Franklin’s involvement strengthens Harwell’s Health Tech Cluster, reinforcing its position as a global hub for life sciences innovation. By joining forces, CO:LABS and the Franklin will create a dynamic environment where life-changing science can flourish, equipping start-ups with the expertise, support, and industry connections needed to succeed. Stuart Grant, CEO of Harwell Campus, described this as a milestone moment for CO:LABS, recognising the challenge of scaling a biotech and emphasising the importance of building an ecosystem that provides the right level of support. He highlighted the Franklin’s commitment to mentorship and knowledge-sharing as invaluable in helping start-ups scale and commercialise their innovations. Paul M Matthews, Director of the Franklin, added that supporting the next generation of biotech entrepreneurs is central to the Franklin’s mission. He expressed excitement about applying the institute’s expertise and resources to accelerate innovation in the life sciences sector through this partnership. Barbara Ghinelli, Director of Innovation Clusters and Harwell Campus, UKRI-STFC, reinforced the transformative potential of CO:LABS, stating that it will supercharge Harwell’s thriving Health Tech Cluster. She noted that this partnership will enhance the successful incubator programmes, funding initiatives, and innovation support already in place at Harwell, accelerating the ability of brilliant biotechs to scale. Read the full story, linked in the comments 👇 #biotech #healthtech #scienceandinnovation #innovation #healthtechcluster

Checking in on Co:Labs. The skies cleared and the sun was shining, meaning our colleague Paddy stopped by to check in on Co:Labs last week, Harwell’s newest laboratory development, designed to power the next generation of science and technology breakthroughs. Co:Labs has been designed from the ground up to provide a seamless and scalable environment for scientific discovery. The development offers fully fitted, serviced incubator labs for early-stage companies, as well as high-spec, customisable growth space for scaling businesses. With world-class facilities, an on-site lab manager, and state-of-the-art infrastructure, Co:Labs ensures that businesses can focus on their research without the operational distractions. Set within a life-enhancing landscape, Co:Labs is surrounded by landscaped gardens, sports pitches, and a thriving street food collective, creating a balance between work and well-being. Located at the heart of Harwell Campus, one of the UK’s leading hubs for research and development, Co:Labs sits alongside some of the world’s most influential science organisations and benefits from access to over £3bn of Big Science facilities, such as Diamond Light Source, RAL Space, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and Rosalind Franklin Institute to name only a few, strengthening collaboration and knowledge exchange. Co:Labs 1 has been designed specifically for start-ups and Series A businesses, offering 35,000 sq ft of fully fitted and serviced laboratory space. The development includes CL2 specification labs ranging from 1,100 to 4,500 sq ft, complete with write-up and office spaces. A dedicated on-site lab manager ensures seamless day-to-day operations, while businesses can customise their spaces with options such as freezer rooms and tissue culture functionality. The furnished office spaces, each with dedicated tea points, provide a comfortable and functional working environment. For later-stage businesses, Co:Labs 2 caters to Series B and beyond, with 40,000 sq ft of CL2 lab-enabled space and a range of fit-out options. Designed with flexibility in mind, the building can accommodate one to two members per floor, with areas ranging from 6,000 to 17,000 sq ft, maintaining a 60/40 lab-to-office ratio. The infrastructure is fully equipped with distributed gases, including compressed air, CO2, and nitrogen, as well as Cat 5 water and drainage. Additional back-of-house features include dedicated gas storage, easy-access liquid nitrogen tanks, and on-site waste management services. With Co:Labs taking shape and opening soon, we are excited to see it become a catalyst for life-changing science. Learn more about Co:Labs here: https://lnkd.in/e2mWXxzi Patrick Pringle Kier Group #science #technology #innovation #innovationhub #researchanddevelopment #labspace

Celebrating the women of Harwell Campus. The incredible women at Harwell Campus are driving scientific breakthroughs, pioneering new technologies, and shaping the future of innovation. Today, we continue to celebrate their contributions across space, health, energy, and quantum. From the labs to leadership, their impact is felt far and wide. Here’s to the women breaking barriers and inspiring the next generation! #internationalwomensday #IWD2025 #womeninstem #harwellcampus #stem #breakingbarriers #accelerateaction STFC STFC Business & Innovation RAL Space MDA Space ISIS Neutron and Muon Source ARC | Advanced Research Clusters Central Laser Facility National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC)

Magdrive Secures $10.5M to Power the Future of Space Travel. Harwell-based startup Magdrive has announced a $10.5 million seed funding round led by pan-European VC redalpine, accelerating the development of its next-generation spacecraft propulsion system. Magdrive’s high-thrust, high-efficiency electric propulsion system is set to revolutionise space mobility. Using a sustainable metal propellant, this breakthrough technology will allow spacecraft to travel farther, manoeuvre with greater precision, and operate more sustainably than ever before. Founded in 2019, Magdrive is preparing for its first in-space tests of the Magdrive Rogue thruster in June, in collaboration with D-Orbit. The technology promises to deliver a compact yet powerful propulsion solution for the rapidly expanding satellite constellations market. “Magdrive represents the next generation of spacecraft propulsion, turning humanity’s grand ambitions in space into reality,” said CEO Mark Stokes. Read the full story, here: https://lnkd.in/eYxpMpXD #spacetech #spacepropulsion #innovation #spaceexploration #satellitetech #ukspace

Harwell at the Heart of a Pioneering NASA Mission. Teams at STFC’s RAL Space, based at Harwell Campus, have played a pivotal role in NASA’s PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) mission, launching last week. This ground breaking mission will transform our understanding of the Sun’s atmosphere and space weather, key to predicting solar activity that can impact technology on Earth. Scientists, engineers, and technicians at RAL Space have designed and built cutting-edge camera systems for PUNCH’s four spacecraft. These radiation-resistant, high-precision imagers will provide a 3D map of the solar wind, helping to track coronal mass ejections, huge bursts of solar plasma that can affect satellites, power grids, and communication networks. Dr Jackie Davies, UK Science Lead for PUNCH at RAL Space, said: “The PUNCH design builds on RAL Space’s extensive heritage in leading, and contributing to, solar and solar wind imaging instruments, including our contributions to NASA’s Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) mission. We’re thrilled to be working alongside SwRI, NASA and the US Naval Research Laboratory on this pioneering project and can’t wait to see what new insights our technological and scientific input will reveal in the coming months.” Read the full story, here: https://lnkd.in/eCpGh2HD #NASA #spaceinnovation #space #spacediscovery #ukspace #solarwind #innovation

We are pleased to announce that Jim Stretton has been appointed as Managing Director of Harwell Science and Innovation Campus and ARC | Advanced Research Clusters. Jim succeeds Stuart Grant, who will be stepping down as CEO to take on a new role in Asia-Pacific later this year. Stuart will remain Non-Executive Chair of ARC, working alongside Jim to ensure a smooth transition. Since joining ARC in 2021 as CFO & COO, Jim has played a pivotal role in shaping our growth and impact. Under his leadership alongside Stuart, ARC and Harwell have integrated into a high-quality operating team, developed 1.3 million sq. ft. of cutting-edge space, secured £900 million in financing, delivered 880,000 sq. ft. of new leases, and completed £170 million in non-core dispositions. Jim shared: “I am honoured to be appointed Managing Director and excited to lead our fantastic team. The strong foundations we have built will drive our continued growth alongside our partners at Brookfield, STFC, and UKAEA.” Stuart reflected on his tenure: “It has been a privilege to lead ARC and Harwell. Jim’s expertise and deep understanding of our portfolio will ensure continued success, and I look forward to supporting him in my new role.” Read the release, here: https://lnkd.in/eWFtHbpB

The Quantum frontier. The future isn’t just digital, it’s quantum. At Harwell Campus, we’re not just keeping up with the quantum revolution; we’re leading it. As home to the National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) and a rapidly growing cluster of quantum pioneers, Harwell is where the boundaries of physics, computing, and real-world application are being redefined. Quantum isn’t just about theory anymore. With breakthroughs in quantum sensing, secure communications, and next-generation computing, researchers and businesses here are solving problems that were once thought impossible. From accelerating drug discovery and transforming cryptography to revolutionising materials science and financial modelling, quantum technologies developed at Harwell are set to change the world. What makes this possible is our unique collaborative ecosystem. With access to 14 national facilities, including the Diamond Light Source and Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, quantum researchers at Harwell are working alongside industry leaders in biotech, space, and energy, ensuring that quantum innovation moves beyond the lab and into real-world impact. The question isn’t whether quantum will reshape the future, it’s how fast. At Harwell, that future is being built today. Learn more about Quantum at Harwell, here: https://lnkd.in/evxd2gje 📷 National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC) #quantumcomputing #quantum #quantuminnovation #quantumtech #deeptech #futureoftech

The only thing stronger than our scientific breakthroughs? The Harwell community. At Harwell Campus, we know that great discoveries don’t just happen in the lab, they happen when people come together, share ideas, and build lasting connections. That’s why our thriving community is at the heart of everything we do. Whether you're looking to network with like-minded professionals, stay active with our sports clubs, or unwind at one of our social events, there’s something for everyone here. From science talks and innovation showcases to live music, yoga sessions, and food festivals, the variety of events on campus ensures you can learn, connect, and relax in equal measure. Our Head of Community, Bex, works tirelessly to curate a calendar of events tailored to the people who make Harwell special, bringing colleagues together, sparking new collaborations, and making sure there’s always a reason to step away from the desk or lab bench. With our beautiful surroundings, fantastic facilities, and an incredible mix of people, Harwell Campus is more than just a place to work, it’s a place to belong. Stay up to date with everything that's happening on campus via our Harwellian newsletter: https://lnkd.in/e4E_RBpX #community #innovation #networking #wellbeing #lifeatharwell #sciencecampus Rebecca Duvall Natalie Gelder