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.

I13 is one of the latest Diamond beamlines dedicated to imaging and coherence. Micro- and nano- structures are imaged making use of the coherence of the X-ray light. The beamline consists of two independent branchlines, operating in the energy range of 6-35keV. The science at the beamline covers different areas such as biomedicine, materials science and geophysics.

On the Imaging branch, also known as the Diamond-Manchester branchline, tomography and full-field X-ray microscopy provide micron to 100nm spatial resolution. Resolution beyond X-ray optics is achieved by imaging in reciprocal space on the coherence branch. We are currently implementing new coherent imaging methods, namely ptychography in collaboration with the leaders in this field.

Certain beamline responsibilities are shared between both branches (detector support, user support), others are branchline specific. For this post specific tasks are centered on the coherence branch.

We are looking for candidates with experience in X-ray imaging, ideally with synchrotron radiation. Ideally, the candidate will have knowledge in coherent imaging. Applicants with experience in neighbouring fields such as electron microscopy, neutron imaging or similar are welcome to apply. You will be highly motivated, able to work independently as well as in a team. The task requires strong social and communication skills for closely interacting with scientists visiting the beamline.  The position offers working in a thrilling environment, promoting the beamline’s scientific profile.

Duties

Support Scientist - Support beamline operation and scientific data evaluation.
Working in support of the Principal Beamline Scientist in the following areas:

• Assist in the installation, assembly, and maintenance of a range of equipment and systems on the beamline and support laboratories, including testing and commissioning;
• Provide support to users, answering queries and ensuring they are fully briefed to use the appropriate equipment;
• Measurement of samples sent to Diamond by users; including data reduction and basic reports;
• Undertake problem solving and fault diagnosis of complex instrumentation eg the beamline end station;
• Support of in-house research activities;
• Management of beamline peripheral laboratories where appropriate;
• Produce documentation for external users to enable use of standard laboratory instrumentation;
• Co-ordinate meetings, documents, reports and communications.

Senior Support Scientist - Support beamline operation and scientific data evaluation.
Working in support of the Principal Beamline Scientist in the following areas:

• Assist in the procurement, installation, assembly, and maintenance of a range of equipment and systems on the beamline and support laboratories, including testing and commissioning;
• Local contact support to users by setting up and providing advice and guidance on the best approach to experiments, data analysis and research techniques;
• Measurement of samples including data analysis and contributing to publications;
• Undertake problem solving and fault diagnosis of the beamline;
• Develop and maintain expertise in a scientific field, and apply it to user support;
• Work closely with other scientific and technical staff to produce designs for  new systems, equipment or processes;
• Collaborate with users and in house staff research within area of expertise;
• Contribute to scientific papers from external or in-house research;
• Produce reports and documentation (e.g. manuals) to support the beamline and laboratories.

• Appropriate first degree or equivalent qualification;
• Experience in imaging/coherent imaging;
• Experience of software packages and programming;
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
• Good interpersonal, communication  and presentational skills;
• Ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels;
• Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working;
• Self motivated;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

For appointment at the senior level, candidates should have: 

• Experience in supporting Scientists in the conduct of research in a synchrotron or equivalent facility;
• Appropriate PhD and 3 years relevant experience.

• Second degree in appropriate subject;
• Relevant synchrotron research experience;
• Experience or knowledge of synchrotrons;
• Experience in tomography data analysis;
• Experience of beamline instrumentation;
• Notions about coherence, microscopy, imaging or tomography;
• Experience form relevant fields such as laser physics or electron microscopy;
• Must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences.

Must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences