Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, we enable world-leading research across a wide range of scientific disciplines and industrial applications.

The Optics and Metrology Group at Diamond provides expert support to the beamline scientists in the design, acceptance and optimisation of beamline optics, and is actively pursuing a range of diverse research projects including development of next-generation optics and development of computer codes for X-ray optics simulations.

We are eager for a highly experienced and skilled scientist to join the Optics & Metrology group and lead research into the exploitation of the coherence properties of synchrotron radiation by developing computer codes and theoretical models for simulation of partially coherent X-ray emission from storage rings, and their propagation through the optics of synchrotron beamlines. The candidate will also initiate a programme of research, in collaborate with Diamond staff and external users, into methods of characterising coherence properties of X-ray beams and techniques for exploiting coherence properties at a 3rd generation X-ray source.

• Provide professional leadership in the development of computer codes and theoretical models for simulation of partially coherent X-ray emission from storage rings;
• Lead in the development of computer codes, based on wavefront propagation, for realistic simulation of synchrotron beamlines from source to sample;
• Collaborate with Diamond and international scientists on such developments to establish Diamond at the forefront in this field;
• Contribute to the optical design of beamlines using the computer codes thus developed;
• Take lead in establishing methods of characterising coherence properties of X-ray beams;
• Project manage the delivery of the required outputs, including preparation of project, budget and resource plans;
• Publish work in peer-reviewed journals.

• Appropriate PhD degree or equivalent qualification or experience;
• Significant synchrotron research experience;
• Excellent theoretical understanding of X-ray physics and X-ray optics;
• Extensive experience with Windows / Linux / Unix;
• Programming experience in python, C/C++, shell scripting, revision control systems;
• Practical knowledge and experience of beamline instrumentation;
• Track record in beamline design;
• Ability to influence at a senior management level using in-depth professional knowledge;
• Ability to work on own initiative and take personal responsibility for delivery of work packages;
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills;
• Ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences.

• Strong mathematical background;
• Knowledge of statistical optics and dynamical diffraction theory;
• Experience of wavefront propagation;
• Experience of programming for parallel computing clusters;
• Knowledge and experience of Monte Carlo techniques;
• Experience of techniques for exploiting coherence properties of X-rays e.g. X-ray interferometry.