Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located on the Harwell Science & Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire a 20 minute drive south of Oxford in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Diamond Light Source conducts world-class research in virtually all fields of science and offers rewarding career opportunities covering both technical and scientific disciplines.

Beamline I10 the Beamline for Advanced Dichroism Experiments (BLADE) is a beamline optimised for the measurement of magnetism. It will have flexible polarisation (linear and circular light) and will operate in the soft X-ray range from 400 to 2000eV. It will thus be sensitive to the transition metal L2,3 edges and rare earth M4,5 edges. There are two main branches: one branch will be dedicated to magnetic scattering and the other to measuring magnetic circular and linear dichroism.

We are seeking a self motivated candidate to work as a postdoctoral research associate on this beamline. Research will be primarily involved in research on magnetic disorder by growing well defined magnetic nanoparticles. Initially there will be some work on commissioning our cluster source which is capable of producing mass selected clusters of magnetic materials. The successful candidate will be expected to spend 20% supporting users and beamline activities. They will also be expected to form collaborations with outside institutions.

To work within the I10 team to undertake research. The PDRA will be expected to devote 20% of his/her time to support the I10 beamline, fulfilling duties such as acting as local contact, taking part in beamline development projects and discussing experiment and data analysis with outside Users.

Work in the I10 team in the following areas:

• carrying out in-house research activities;
• carrying out experiments, analysing data and publication of results;
• maintenance of the beamline during operations;
• development and testing of new equipment and software;
• support of users in performing their experiments at Diamond;
• testing of samples sent to Diamond by users;
• assisting users with data analysis;
• keeping up with latest results and research directions internationally;
• developing experimental and data analysis techniques and implementing them on the beamline.

• Appropriate First Degree;
• Postgraduate degree;
• Good laboratory research skills;
• Ability to write research papers;
• Ability to plan and then carry out a research project;
• Good Problem solving skills;
• Fault diagnosis abilities;
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills;
• Ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Self motivated;
• Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

• Relevant synchrotron research experience;
• Experience or knowledge of synchrotrons;
• Experience of beamline instrumentation;
• Knowledge of magnetism and magnetic materials;
• Experience with ultrahigh vacuum;
• Experience with cryogenics;
• Experience with soft X-ray scattering;
• Experience with high magnetic fields.

• Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.