Beamline I07 is a high-resolution X-ray diffraction beamline for investigating the structure of surfaces and interfaces under a wide range of different environmental conditions, ranging from UHV surface science to soft condensed matter and biological systems.

This position will focus on ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) surface science and the successful candidate will be responsible for the day to day running of the complex surface science chamber used for the surface x-ray diffraction and preparation work. This system comprises multiple chambers with equipment to measure low energy electron diffraction (LEED), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) and Auger spectroscopy in addition to preparation facilities such as sputter guns and sample heating. The scientific goal of the project is to study the effects of dopants on high quality thin films of topological insulator materials, such as bismuth telluride or samarium hexaboride. A variety of substrates and doping of the film will be studied using molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) techniques to produce thin films or multilayer heterostructures. We will also develop techniques to grow and study heterostructures of 2D materials in situ, where the weak van der Waals interactions can induce structural correlations across the layers, that create unique or interesting electronic effects.  

Beamline I07 will be used to establish the structure and morphology of the film whilst the electronic structure will be studied using other facilities for angle resolved photoemission. Topological insulator (TI) materials are of continuing interest due to the unique behaviour they exhibit where for a three-dimensional TI, the inner bulk is insulating whilst the surface allows spin-dependent conduction. Thin film TI’s offer the possibility of tuning the surface state and also producing higher quality structures without defects that appear in the bulk materials. In addition to the research project, the PDRA will be involved in some of the external user experiments that will also use the UHV chamber.

To work within the Beamline team to undertake research. You will be required to devote some time to support the beamline, fulfilling duties such as acting as local contact, taking part in beamline development projects and discussing experiment and data analysis with outside users.

• 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 Science Degree;
• Appropriate PhD and proven relevant experience;
• Experience or knowledge of research area outlined in the project description;
• Good knowledge of general concepts and techniques available at synchrotron sources;
• Experience with hardware relevant to the project as outlined in the project description;
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills;
• Ability to interact with staff and facility users at all levels;
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Good organisational and planning skills;
• Self motivation;
• Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working;
• Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

• Experience or knowledge of other related techniques;
• Experience of sample environment equipment;
• Experience of synchrotrons / x-ray beamlines;
• Experience with Windows software;
• Experience with relevant data analysis software and programming.

• Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working;
• Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.