daresbury laboratory is a scientific research laboratory based at sci-tech daresbury campus near daresbury in halton, cheshire, england. the laboratory began operations in 1962 and was officially opened on 16 june 1967 as the daresbury nuclear physics laboratory by the then prime minister of united kingdom, harold wilson. it is operated by the science and technology facilities council, part of uk research and innovation. it currently employs around 300 staff. the current director is prof. susan smith.