The Diamond synchrotron light source is the largest scientific facility built in the UK for over thirty years and is located at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire. The Diamond facility consists of three accelerators – a 100 MeV linac, a 3 GeV booster synchrotron and a 562 m circumference 3 GeV storage ring and presently provides high brightness photon beam to 18 beamlines.

Diamond Light Source Ltd. wishes to appoint a Post Doctoral Research Assistant to work in the Accelerator Physics Group within the Diamond Technical Division. Appointments to a Senior Researcher position might be considered for candidates with adequate experience. The position is initially for 3 years and may be able to be extended.

The key duties of the post are as follows:

• Carry out studies to model, understand and optimise the performance of the Diamond accelerators under all required operating conditions
• Contribute to producing the relevant procedures and high level software tools in order to achieve the above
• Participate in Machine Physics studies to improve the performance and the understanding of the three accelerators

Qualifications and Experience:

The successful candidate is likely to have the following skills and experience:

Essential:

• Qualified to at least degree level in an appropriate branch of physics
• Good physics and mathematical background, including electromagnetism, mechanics and optics
• Good degree of IT literacy
• Good experience in the development and use of numerical algorithm to solve Physics problems; ability to handle large scale simulations
• Self motivation, able to work on own initiative
• Pro-active attitude to anticipating and solving problems
• Willingness to develop a deeper knowledge of accelerator physics
• Good interpersonal skills, able to work in a team and able to interact effectively with staff and contractors at all levels
• Good written and oral communication skills

Desirable:

• Familiarity with Accelerator Physics
• Experience of developing and debugging Accelerator Physics applications
• Thorough working knowledge of C, FORTRAN, MATLAB, Python and object oriented programming
• Good knowledge of EPICS and interfaces to EPICS
• Experience with parallel computing

Essential for appointment as Senior Researcher:

• Established practical and theoretical understanding of Accelerator Physics, including linear and nonlinear dynamics, and collective effects. Familiarity with the Physics of Free Electron Lasers will also be valued.
• Experience of developing and debugging Accelerator Physics applications

Other requirements:
• Available to travel in the UK and abroad, including occasional periods away from home. 
• Available to work occasional shifts.

Enquiries about the post should be sent to the Head of the Accelerator Physics Group at the following address:

R. Bartolini
Diamond Light Source
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot
Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
[email protected]
tel : +44 (0)1235 778073