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Job Title Detector Scientist / Senior Detector Scientist
Job Reference DIA1054/TH
Post Type Full time / Permanent
Division Physical Science
Salary information £31,000 - £43,000 / Senior role: £41,000 - £55,000 + Benefits
Application deadline 06/09/2015


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.

The detector group is in charge of the construction, installation, commissioning, and operation of the detector systems of the beamlines of Diamond. In order to provide the best detectors to the forthcoming beamlines the group is committed to a number of detector evaluation and development projects.

The availability of a test beamline at Diamond allows the detector group to evaluate the performance of innovating detector technologies and their application to synchrotron X-ray experiments. Close cooperation with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory enables access to other world-class facilities as well as the interaction with world-leading detector developers.

The successful candidate will join a highly dynamic group working at the cutting edge of detector technology. The main responsibility of the successful candidate will be the maintenance and further development of position sensitive detector systems presently installed on the beam lines. The position sensitive detector systems will be both based on semiconductor detectors and scintillating detectors. The positions offered are permanent full time appointments. The level of seniority of the appointment will depend on the candidates experience.

Detector Scientist - To assist the Detector Group in the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of detectors and associated electronics for synchrotron X-ray experiments. 

  • Specification and design of the detector systems to be installed in the beam lines under construction;
  • Contribute to the success of Diamond as an organization undertaking world leading research in the area of detector science along the guide lines given by the management;
  • Develop and apply expertise in technologies such as sensors, detector read-out, detector ancillary electronics for new detector design;
  • Work closely with internal & external scientific and engineering staff to produce documentation for the support of the detector systems installed in the beam lines, to produce the calibration and maintenance programmes, to carry out the quality control tests;
  • Fault finding of detector systems installed in the beam lines;
  • Assisting in installation and commissioning of detector systems;
  • Use of software packages such as MatLab and Origin for data analysis to understand the performance of detectors;
  • Draft of the detector system specifications to be submitted to external providers or contractors;
  • Responsibility of small specific projects in the detector development programme of Diamond, which may involve collaboration with scientists from STFC and elsewhere.

Senior Detector Scientist - Guide and support the Detector Systems Group and Beamline Scientist to undertake specification, procurement, installation and commissioning of detector systems on the Beamlines as relevant.

  • Liaise with STFC staff, Beamline Scientists and other Diamond staff and external contractors where relevant to ensure the aims of the Detector Group are met;
  • Provide professional leadership to the construction, assembly, test, installation, commissioning, and operation of detector systems including: Advising on appropriate maintenance; Routine maintenance of detectors installed on beam lines.
  • Provide specialist professional advice to beam line scientists and to the Diamond management on detector systems, including: Advising beam line scientist on procurement of detector systems and associated electronics; Negotiate, agree, and write detector system specifications; Production of tender documents for the procurement of detector systems.
  • Leadership in the delivery of significant packages of project work both in the detector development program of Diamond, and in the evaluation and procurement of commercial detectors;
  • Contribute to the success of Diamond as an organization undertaking world leading research in the area of detector science along the guide lines given by the management;
  • Represent Diamond at international meetings;
  • May lead and manage junior staff.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Degree in physics or equivalent qualifications or experience;
  • Understanding of the principles of the interaction of radiation with matter;
  • 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;
  • Background and experience in ionizing radiation detection maintenance and operation;
  • Knowledge of data analysis packages such as Matlab;
  • Appropriate first degree or equivalent (see above);
  • Experience in the use of electronic test equipment (DMMs, Oscilloscopes etc.).

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD) in a relevant field;
  • Experience in ionizing radiation detector development (essential for appointment at the senior level);
  • Working experience at synchrotrons or other large experimental facilities (essential for appointment at the senior level);
  • Project management experience (essential for appointment at the senior level);

Further Information

Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, 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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