Access proposal approved? What next?

Your ISIS local contact will contact you to arrange the dates of your experiment.  Please note that experiments may not be scheduled immediately after your beamtime allocation notification.

When your experiment has been scheduled the PI will receive a link (via email) to the Visitor Notification of Arrival online form, which we require all members of the experimental team to complete at least two weeks prior to arrival.

This enables you to request facility accommodation and register your visit for the RAL site and ISIS experimental hall access, for the duration of your experiment. Please note that all travel must be booked by the user and, if eligible for funding, can be claimed back after the experiment. You can check here to see whether ISIS will fund your travel and subsistence costs.

A support letter for visa applications will be automatically issued to all non-UK-based users once their visit request has been confirmed. Please note that ISIS is unable to provide advice or guidance on visa applications — you must contact the relevant authorities in your home country for assistance.

An online Experiment Risk Assessment (ERA) form must be completed for each experiment. The ERA covers all safety and operational details — including personnel, samples, lab work, equipment, and environmental conditions — to help ISIS staff ensure a safe and successful experiment.

When your experiment has been scheduled the PI will receive a link (via email) to the ERA form.  Any investigator listed on the proposal can complete the ERA for the experiment. Once submitted, the form is reviewed by your local contact and the ISIS Experiment Operations Team. For assistance, contact your local contact or the Sample Safety Team at isissamplesafety@stfc.ac.uk

We require the ERA to be completed at least two weeks prior to arrival.

Contact fase-support@stfc.ac.uk if you experience technical issues when trying to submit the ERA.

To gain access to ISIS experimental halls or laboratories, all users must complete the required safety inductions and pass the relevant online tests before arrival. Please ensure you have read the appropriate safety materials prior to taking the tests.

• Experimental Halls (all users): Pass the the General Safety Test
• Chemical Laboratory use: Pass the the Facility Safety Test and Chemistry Labs Safety Test

When you are ready, click here to complete the relevant safety tests.

All tests must be completed at least two weeks before arrival to allow sufficient time for verification and to ensure timely access to the facilities.

Please ensure you have submitted a visit request and completed all relevant safety tests and provided your emergency contact details before arrival.

You must bring valid, in-date photo identification. Access to the RAL site will not be permitted without valid photo ID.  Accepted forms of photo ID are:

• UK or foreign passport
• UK or foreign driving licence
• EU/EEA National Identity Card
• UK PASS Card
• UK Biometric Residence Permit
• MOD 90 / Government ID / Warrant Card
• STFC/UKRI Issued Photo Pass

Arrival During Office Hours

Monday–Thursday: 08:00–16:00
Friday: 08:00–15:00

• Report to the User Office in the main reception foyer (Building R75) to collect your site pass and dosimeter paperwork.
• Visit the Health Physics Office (next to the ISIS Main Control Room in R5.5) to collect your dosimeter and activate your pass for entry to the experimental halls.

Arrival Outside Office Hours

To avoid delays, please:

• Inform the User Office in advance if you plan to arrive out of hours.
• Ensure your visit request, safety tests, and emergency contact details are complete.

Then:

• Report to the Security Lodge in Building R75 (main reception) to collect your site pass and dosimeter paperwork.
• Proceed to the ISIS Main Control Room (Building R5.5) to collect your dosimeter and have your pass activated for access to the experimental halls.