This vacancy is now closed
Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate, Beamline I15
Job Reference DIA0915/TH
Post Type Full time, 1 year fixed term
Division Physical Science
Salary information Circa £33k
Application deadline 18/04/2014


Job Description

The UK’s national synchrotron science facility, Diamond Light Source, conducts world-class research in virtually all fields of science. Located 20 minutes from Oxford, it sits in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and offers rewarding career opportunities.

The Extreme Conditions Beamline (I15) at Diamond Light Source provides powder and single-crystal diffraction based around the diamond-anvil cell with the possibility to go to extreme temperature conditions. A wide range of on- and off-line laser as well as low-temperature facilities complements the diffraction techniques at high pressure.

We are seeking a PDRA with experience in studying magnetic or superconducting samples at high pressure and low temperatures using a magnetic-susceptibility detection system. The successful candidate will be responsible for the optimization of the existing susceptibility set-up and its further development to enable contactless resistivity measurement at high pressure and temperatures as low as 4 K.

To optimize the magnetic-susceptibility detection system used for studying magnetic or superconducting samples at high pressure and low temperatures capable of measuring tiny signals in the presence of large backgrounds. Furthermore, to install the wireless-resistance measurement technique to be used at high pressure and low temperature.

Work in the team in the following areas:

  • Optimization of the magnetic-susceptibility set up for pressurized samples in diamond-anvil cells at low temperatures;
  • Installation of a wireless resistance measurement to be used at high pressure and low temperature;
  • Build control software for the mutual inductance-bridge set up;
  • Develop theoretical models for the wireless resistivity measurements under pressure and low temperature;
  • Document the technical details (hard- and software);
  • Keeping up with latest results and research related to the measuring methods.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate First Degree;
  • PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry, Materials,  Earth Sciences, or equivalent qualification;
  • Experience  in  magnetic susceptibility measurements at high pressure and low temperature;
  • Experience in low-temperature physics;
  • Knowledge of a programming language;
  • Experience with Windows/Linux/Unix;
  • Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
  • Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills;
  • Good organisational and planning skills;
  • Ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels;
  • Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  • Self motivation;
  • Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences;
  • Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Experience or knowledge of synchrotrons X-ray powder diffraction;
  • Experience  of in situ high-pressure and low temperature synchrotron x-ray diffraction.

Further Information

  • Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences;
  • Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working.

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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