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 aim of the role is to provide a high degree of senior technical support to the RF group focussing in particular on low level RF and electronics, to provide a leading role in the development of a new digital low level RF (LLRF) system and to develop and maintain the present analogue LLRF system, and to support the operation of the RF plant; including management of all aspects of assigned technical projects.

Key responsibilities include:

·         Senior level contribution to the overall work of the RF Group;

·         Responsible for LLRF, RF distribution, drive amplifiers, phase/gain units, master oscillator(MO) and associated equipment, including:

-      Management of all aspects of the LLRF;

-      Characterisation, maintenance, and operation of LLRF;

-      Day-to-day checks and performance analysis;

-      Spares holding and availability;

-      Safety and statutory inspections;

-      Ensuring that drawings are accurate and up-to-date;

-      Ensure state of the art performance and reliability is maintained;

-      Manage future development of LLRF;

-      Carry out calculations, design and comparison of theory and measurement of the existing system and any full or part upgrades;

-      Ongoing review of performance against current and new requirements;

·         Responsible for the safe and effective management of the RF Lab;

·         Contribute to the characterisation and documentation of the high power amplifier systems and cavities;

·         Responsible for providing operating instructions and training for the Operating Team for LLRF, drive amplifiers, phase/gain units, MO and associated equipment RF distribution;

·         Contribution to electronic circuit and RF system modelling and design within the RF Group, involving: 

-      Maintenance and further development of overall system model for characterisation, system improvement and fault finding;

-      Oversee or carry out electronic and RF design including quality control;

-      Technical development and support of members of the SR RF group;

·       Manage test and measurement capability including identification and selection of test equipment, development of test and characterisation procedures and training;

·         Contribute to the general studies of the Diamond accelerators, with particular emphasis on RF related effects;

·         On-call support of the storage ring RF plant (day/night);

·         Presentation of Diamond RF systems to the wider synchrotron community;

·         Responsible for technical and contractual supervision of supply contracts as allocated;

·         Responsible for ensuring safe working practices, relating to the maintenance and operation of the LLRF, RF distribution, drive amplifiers, phase/gain units, MO and associated equipment as well as RF Laboratory activities including all Test and Measurement; this includes developing procedures and monitoring that people are working safely;

·         To carry out additional tasks and responsibilities as nominated by the Group Leader;

·         Comply with, and where appropriate contribute to the development of, Diamond Health and Safety procedures and policies.

·         General understanding of basic physics and/or engineering principles;

·         Experience of operating RF equipment;

·         Experience of RF instrumentation, such as network analysers, spectrum analysers, power meters, oscilloscopes etc.;

·         Knowledge of high and low power amplifier technologies;

·         Able to carry out tasks independently, but also be an effective team member;

·         An aptitude for problem solving and fault finding;

·         Flexible approach to the working conditions and environment;

·         Self-motivated;

·         Prepared to learn new skills.

·         Qualified to degree level, or equivalent in an appropriate branch of Physics or Engineering. Candidates with significant hands on experience without a degree will also be considered;

·         Experience of the design and operation of high power RF systems;

·         Knowledge of mixed A/D & D/A design and digital signal processing;

·         Experience of some or all of the following: RF modelling and simulation, low power RF system design, signal analysis, control systems and programming, accelerator technology;

·         Familiarity with safe working practices;

·         Familiarity with the use of Quality Assurance Procedures.

·         The job will involve occasional shift work;

·         The job may occasionally require some travel within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.