This vacancy is now closed
Job Title Detector Scientist
Job Reference 010/18/TH
Post Type Full Time / Permanent
Division Physical Science
Salary information £32,805 to £38,593 (Discretionary range to £44,382)
Application deadline 04/03/2018


Job Description

The detector group is in charge of the construction, installation, commissioning, and operation of the detector systems of the beamlines of Diamond. In order to provide the best detectors the group is committed to a number of detector evaluation and development projects.

The availability of a test beamline at Diamond allows the detector group to evaluate the performance of innovating detector technologies and their application to synchrotron X-ray experiments. Close cooperation with the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory enables access to other world-class facilities as well as the interaction with world-leading detector developers.

The successful candidate will join a highly dynamic group working at the cutting edge of detector technology. The main responsibility of the successful candidate will be the maintenance and further development of scintillator based detector systems and related light sensors (CCD, CMOS) including the optical layout used to collect the light emitted by the scintillators. The successful candidate will also take the responsibility of CCD and CMOS based detector systems working in direct detection of soft X-rays.

Duties: 

  • Specification and design of the detector systems to be installed in the beam lines under construction.
  • Contribute to the success of Diamond as an organization undertaking world leading research in the area of detector science along the guide lines given by the management.
  • Develop and apply expertise in technologies such as sensors, detector read-out, detector ancillary electronics for new detector design.
  • Work closely with internal & external scientific and engineering staff to produce documentation for the support of the detector systems installed in the beam lines, to produce the calibration and maintenance programmes, to carry out the quality control tests. 
  • Fault finding of detector systems installed in the beam lines.
  • Assisting in installation and commissioning of detector systems.
  • Use of software packages such as MatLab and Origin for data analysis to understand the performance of detectors.
  • Draft of the detector system specifications to be submitted to external providers or contractors.
  • Responsibility of small specific projects in the detector development programme of Diamond, which may involve collaboration with scientists from STFC and elsewhere.

In addition to the above generic duties, there are specific duties that befall this post holder as follows:

  • Contribute to the optical layout of the microscope optics used in detector systems with particular reference to microscopes used in tomography experiments; choice, purchase, and operation of CCD and CMOS; choice purchase, mounting, and tests of scintillation crystals and microscope optics; address specific issues related to radiation damage (e.g. browning of optical components); contribute to the mechanical aspects of the detectors.
  • Work closely with the software developers to ensure that the software interface of the detector system is consistent with its technical and scientific goals and to be able to contribute to troubleshooting of software related issues.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Degree in physics or equivalent qualification;
  • Understanding of the principles of the interaction of radiation with matter;
  • Understanding of the principles of scintillation detectors;
  • Understanding of the working principles of CCD and CMOS sensors;
  • Understanding the principles of optical instrumentation (visible wavelengths) with particular reference to imaging instruments such as microscopes;
  • 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 as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
  • Self motivated;
  • Background and experience in ionizing radiation detection maintenance and operation;
  • Knowledge of data analysis packages such as Matlab;
  • Experience in the use of electronic test equipment (DMMs, Oscilloscopes etc.).

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Experience in ionizing radiation detector development;
  • Working experience at synchrotrons or other large experimental facilities;
  • Experience in ray-tracing and/or in technical optics projects;
  • Project management experience;
  • Higher degree (e.g. MSc, PhD) in a relevant field.

Further Information

Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

Applying for employment

For further details on applying for employment at Diamond, please visit our 'Application Form' page.

Appointments will be made depending on the skills and experience of the candidate. Electronic Diamond application forms in MS-Word are preferred. These should be emailed to recruitment@diamond.ac.uk



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