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Job Title Senior Beamline Scientist / Beamline Scientist - SAXS Beamline I22
Job Reference DIA0994/CH
Post Type Full time / Permanent
Division Life Science
Salary information Circa £33k - £42k for the senior role + benefits
Application deadline 01/03/2015
Date of interviews 12/03/2015


Job Description

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.

I22 is a high-flux facility that is optimised for both Biological and Materials Science Small Angle Scattering experiments. The beamline includes capabilities in SAXS/WAXS, microfocus SAXS/WAXS and GiSAXS/GiWAXS benefiting from a tuneable in-vacuum undulator generating X-rays in the range of 3.7-20 keV with spot sizes ranging from 70 x 250 µm spot (FWHM) in the primary beam to 5 x 5 µm for microfocus modes. The modular arrangement of the I22 end station accommodates a wide range of both in house and user driven sample environments. The beamline includes the latest Pilatus P3 technology detectors for SAXS and WAXS. The beamline is currently embarking on a series of hardware upgrades to significantly improve performance in several areas, ensuring it can continue to tackle the most challenging problems in biology and materials science.

The Beamline Scientist will work closely with the Principal Beamline Scientist in the continuing development of the beamline including design, procurement, construction, commissioning of upgrades as well as ongoing User Support.

This position is offered at either a Beamline Scientist or Senior Beamline Scientist level, dependent upon the successful candidate’s skills and previous experience.

Small Angle Scattering is one of the truly synergistic interdisciplinary sectors within the UK science sector with I22 and B21 serving communities in the biological, medical, physical and environmental science communities. The successful candidate will be encouraged to lead individual or collaborative research activities on the beamline and elsewhere.

Duties - Beamline Scientist
Working in support of the Principal Beamline Scientist on I22 in the following areas:

  • Installation, assembly, and maintenance of a range of equipment and systems on the beamline and support laboratories, including testing and commissioning;
  • Procurement of straightforward beamline components;
  • Liaise with the suppliers of the beamline components;
  • Local contact role including set up and out of hours support to users and providing advice and guidance on the best approach to experiments, data analysis and research techniques;
  • Carry out own research in an area relevant to the beamline and disseminate through publications and presentations;
  • Assist in the development of new equipment on the beamline, including testing and commissioning.

Duties - Senior Beamline Scientist (Additional duties for appointment at the senior level)

  • To lead the design, procurement, testing, installation and commissioning of particular significant items for the beamline or instrumentation which would enhance or improve its capability;
  • Procurement of significant beamline components;
  • Specification of software needs for user operation;
  • Develop own research/technical expertise to become internationally recognised through publications and presentations for own work in an area relevant to beamline;
  • Enhance the operation of the facility by collaboration and dissemination of specialist knowledge with the other Diamond staff and users.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate PhD degree or equivalent qualification or experience;
  • Experience of Small Angle Scattering research at a synchrotron;
  • 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;
  • Self motivated;
  • Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  • Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working;
  • Available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences;
  • 5 years postdoctoral or equivalent experience for appointment at the higher level.

Essential for Senior Role

  • Experience of beamline instrumentation;
  • Experience of SAS analysis package(s);
  • Project management experience;
  • Successful scientific publication record in a relevant field. 

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Experience of sample environment development;
  • Experience with Windows/Linux and Programming skills in Python and Java;
  • Experience of beamline instrumentation;
  • Experience of SAS analysis package(s);
  • Project management experience;
  • Successful scientific publication record in a relevant field.

Further Information

Must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences.

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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