This vacancy is now closed
Job Title Senior Radio Frequency Engineer / Radio Frequency Engineer / Radio Frequency Technician
Job Reference 0060/16/NH
Post Type Permanent / Full time
Division Technical
Salary information Varies depending on level, please see below for more details
Application deadline 03/10/2016


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.

We have two vacancies within the Radio Frequency (RF) group, which can be appointed at any of the following levels:

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer
Job Reference: 0060A/16/NH
Salary: £41,878 - £49,268 (Discretionary range to £56,658)
Full job description (0060A)

Radio Frequency Engineer
Job Reference: 0060B/16/NH
Salary: £32,480 - £38,211 (Discretionary range to £43,943)
Full job description (0060B)

Radio Frequency Technician
Job Reference: 0060C/16/NH
Salary: £25,247 - £29,702 (Discretionary range to £34,157)
Full job description (0060C)

These roles provide technical support to the RF group in the fields of high power IOT and klystron-based amplifiers and in electronics and low-level RF. These positions will support the operation of Diamond’s RF plant in general; including management of all aspects of assigned technical projects.

Responsibilities include some or all of the following:

  • Support the operation of high power amplifiers in the storage ring and injector RF plant;
  • Day-to-day checks and performance analysis of installed systems;
  • Support the design, development and building of ‘in house’ RF equipment as required;
  • Participate in RF amplifier and cavity upgrade projects;
  • Contribute to the development and testing of a new digital low-level RF system;
  • Maintain the present analogue LLRF systems;
  • Contribution to electronic circuit and RF system modelling and design within the RF Group;
  • Detailed fault analysis of RF trips and the production and implementation of formal corrective action plans;
  • Development and execution of detailed maintenance programmes and monthly reporting of maintenance plans, faults and ongoing issues;
  • Contribute to the general studies of the Diamond accelerators, with particular emphasis on RF related effects;
  • Presentation of Diamond RF systems to the wider synchrotron community;
  • Responsible for technical and contractual supervision of supply contracts as allocated;
  • Participate in on-call rota for out-of-hours support of the Diamond RF plant;
  • Supervision of external contractors and technicians as assigned;
  • Contribute to ensuring safe working practices, relating to the maintenance and operation of all RF systems;
  • Carry out any additional tasks and responsibilities as nominated by the Group Leader.

Please see above for the full job description for each level.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

  • Relevant work experience;
  • General understanding of basic physics and/or engineering principles;
  • Experience with RF components such as coaxial cables, splitters, diodes, RF filters and couplers;
  • Experience in the use of electronic measurement instruments including oscilloscopes, multi-meters, spectrum analysers, network analysers, power meters etc.;
  • Experience of maintenance of electrical equipment or systems;
  • Understanding and interpretation of mechanical drawings and basic circuit diagrams;
  • Ability to work on one’s own initiative and to carry out tasks independently, but also to be an effective team member;
  • Ability to manage small projects;
  • An aptitude for problem solving and fault finding;
  • Willingness and aptitude to learn new skills;
  • Good communication skills (verbal and written);
  • Computer literate.

Radio Frequency Engineer

  • 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.

Radio Frequency Technician

  • A good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in Physics or an appropriate branch of Engineering;
  • Basic electronics testing skills;
  • Some relevant professional experience;
  • A desire to learn and face new challenges;
  • A willingness to take on a variety of tasks;
  • An ability to work independently, as well as to contribute effectively as part of a larger team;  
  • Good interpersonal and communication skills.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

Senior Radio Frequency Engineer

  • 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 operating high and low power RF equipment and of working with high voltages;
  • Familiarity with the use of Quality Assurance Procedures and safe working practices.


Radio Frequency Engineer

  • 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;
  • 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.


Radio Frequency Technician

  • Radio Frequency Engineering skills;
  • Experience with electronic test equipment (oscilloscope, spectrum analyser, network analyser etc).

Further Information

  • The job will involve occasional shift work;
  • The job may occasionally require some travel within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

Please quote the relevant Job Title and Job Reference you wish to apply for when completing the Diamond application form.

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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