Diamond Light Source is a new synchrotron and a leading scientific facility of its type in the world. Located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, we host facilities supporting cutting edge research in all fields of science.

We are seeking to recruit an Experimental Hall Co-ordinator to join the existing shift team. The main duties will be to provide technical support to scientists, visitors and users of the Diamond machine, beamlines and laboratories. You will also monitor activities within the experimental hall to ensure compliance with company, statutory and H&S requirements. You will also be expected to provide chemicals, gases and consumables as well as occasionally supervising the use of equipment in laboratories and workshops.

Ideally you will have experience with basic workshop and laboratory equipment, chemicals and portable gas supplies. You should be highly motivated and able to work under your own initiative. Good communication skills are essential and experience of working in a multi-discipline environment with scientists would be an advantage.

There is a strong emphasis on Health and Safety so familiarity of risk assessments, COSHH and legislation would be desirable, but not essential.

Experimental Hall Co-ordinators will work on a regular 24 hour, 7 day, continuous year round shift system. Each is responsible for the management and co-ordination of their own workload and ensuring specialist training required is updated (RPS, H&S, software etc). Each will work as part of a team responsible for the following:

• Use areas of expertise to:
  • identify opportunities for technical or process/procedural improvements for the medium to long term benefit of both the division and life of the facility;
  • provide training, technical & general support to technical groups, scientists and users;
  • take accountability when assessing changing priorities and differing situations encountered in the workplace;
  • undertake maintenance of equipment, report and rectify faults as necessary;
  • provide the ‘2^nd person " support for accelerator operations team, acting as searcher for Accelerator vaults.
• Acting with delegated authority be the ‘first point of contact’ for all Experimental Hall incidents and;
  • ensure compliance; provide advice and guidance to all persons within the Experimental Hall, of safety procedures and practices, in adherence with company, statutory and other guidelines;
  • undertake Risk Assessments and Hazard analysis;
  • review Experimental Risk Assessments and monitor on-going safety of experiments and users at all times;
  • ensure the correct storage and waste disposal of chemicals and other specialist materials.
• Undertake the duties of a Radiation Protection Supervisor:
  • monitor safe working practices, with delegated authority to take immediate remedial action where necessary;
  • ensure safe storage of low level radioactive sources within Synchrotron;
  • monitor and ensure compliance of radiation generating laboratory equipment.
• Act as Emergency controllers for the Synchrotron Building in line with company policies;
• Operation of Authorisations to Work (ATW) and Permits to Work (PTW) as required;
•  Monitor and Supervise:
  • on-going tests such as bake outs, laboratory experiments, equipment tests etc. during out of hours;
  • external contractors, visitors and users in laboratories and beamlines;
  • the use of laboratories, workshops and beamlines, (including equipment within where required);
  • Beamline and laboratory alarms (most notably low Oxygen in all synchrotron areas).
• Provide advice and support to:
  • Diamond employees, advising on the understanding and application of Diamond policies and procedures;
  • ensure all beamline users are fully inducted and trained before commencing work. Stand in for the User Office out of hours.
• Co-ordinate relationships with suppliers to procure and deliver services, equipment or expertise;
• Produce reports and documentation to support the delivery of services and systems and provide management information to Group Leaders;
• Maintain expertise in a professional field (Health & Safety) and apply it to the development of new procedures and policies.

The EHC’s may also be involved in installation and maintenance activities and development of operational procedures and documentation for the experimental hall. They may also be allocated to other groups to support their activities, future development and training. 

• Significant relevant work experience;
• Candidates must be able to work flexibly within the required shift patterns;
• Proven experience in at least one of the following areas: operation of basic workshop tools, handling of hazardous chemicals, specialist gases, liquid nitrogen, low level radioactive sources;
• Ability to interact with people at all levels;
• Ability to work on own initiative;
• Good planning and organising skills;
• Ability to carry out basic electronic and engineering workshop tasks; 
• Ability to carry out a range of basic tasks in chemical and biological laboratories. 

• HNC/ HND or equivalent qualification in appropriate subject, applicants with equivalent work experience will also be considered;  
• Ability to operate standard laboratory equipment;
• Ability to monitor and keep stock records;
• Supervisory skills;
• Good IT skills – standard MS Office software;
• Familiarity of maintaining stock and resource levels, cleaning and maintenance of laboratory and workshop equipment and calibration and testing of equipment;
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary environment, with visitors and scientists;
• Familiarity of HSE legislation, risk assessments and COSHH. Working with portable gas supplies;
• Experience of working a 24 hour shift pattern;
• Experience of using fork lift trucks / powered trucks.

Some travel may be required, usually within the UK for training purposes.