This is an exciting opportunity, as a Data Acquisition Software Scientist (Software Engineer) or Senior Data Acquisition Software Scientist (Senior Software Engineer), to participate in this cutting edge facility. Working on client-server applications your task will be to work closely with a team of scientists and engineers to specify and develop software to orchestrate experiments; to provide a user interface and experiment workflow that helps users to get the most out of Diamond. We are currently integrating faster and higher capacity detectors and robotics, providing faster and more advanced analysis in real-time and improving the workflow and usability of the facility. Through automating and streamlining more-and-more of the experimental process, you will play a key role in helping Diamond perform more and better science. You will be working in a Linux computing environment with access to well supported, high performance computing and distributed control systems. Our main server application is built using Java and Python and our client applications in Java.
 
You will need to demonstrate a strong understanding of software development and support and the ability to work with Diamond’s scientists; together with a good honours degree in maths, science, electronic engineering or computer science. For the right candidate the position offers a relaxed non-commercial environment full of motivated individuals and comprehensive benefits.

Main responsibilities will include:

• Develop, test, maintain and support the Data Acquisition software platform on Diamond’s beamlines, in collaboration with beamline staff, other members of the Data Acquisition group, and the Scientific Software group.
• Significantly contribute to the design and development of enhancements to the Data Acquisition platform to support new capabilities on Diamond’s new DIAD beamline.
• Enhance the core Data Acquisition software framework to make it robust, adaptable, and easy to use by developers and users alike.
• Maintain responsibility for the management and coordination of own workload, and ensure outputs are delivered on time and to high quality.
• Provide first line support of the software for beamlines, interacting closely with both beamline staff and external users.
• Provide a technical advisory/support function to other departments.
• Use technical and professional knowledge to identify opportunities for technical or process improvement.
• Undertake research or development work within parameters determined by more senior roles, and with regular review of progress.

Additional responsibilities at Senior Level:

• Provide leadership within the team that develops tests, maintains and supports the Data Acquisition software platform on Diamond’s Spectroscopy and Imaging beamlines, in collaboration with beamline staff, other members of the Data Acquisition group, and the Scientific Software and other groups;
• Provide direction and support to other Data Acquisition staff. Encourage the consolidation of workflows and software used across beamlines that use overlapping techniques. Keep the user experience across beamlines consistent and of high quality;
• Lead larger projects that require the input of software engineers from the group and from Diamond’s scientific software & controls groups;
• Deliver high quality reporting and professional advice, presenting findings to senior management and guiding future approach.

• First degree in Computer Science, Engineering or Science;
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
• Good interpersonal, communication  and presentational skills;
• Conscientious and pays attention to details;
• Ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels;
• Self motivated;
• Must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences;
• Ability to work on own initiative and take personal responsibility for delivery of work packages;
• Experienced professional with significant post-qualification experience in technical software engineering;
• Significant relevant experience of Java and Python, or possibly C# or C++;
• Excellent technical/theoretical understanding of methods, systems and approaches relating to technical software engineering e.g. Source Control, Code Review, Continuous Integration;
• Experience of development on UNIX-like operating systems.

Additional Qualifications and Experience at Senior Level:

• Ability to communicate complex information to a ‘non-technical’ audience in an easily comprehensible way;
• Ability to analyse, collate and present information in coherent reports or briefings;
• Ability to influence at a senior management level using in-depth professional knowledge;
• Previous experience in supervising and directing software teams;
• Experience in managing significant projects, coordinating internal / external resources.

• PhD in science;
• Experience in coordinating software development projects including liaising with internal resources from other departments;
• Experience in development of scientific software in the fields of Tomography or Spectroscopy;
• Skilled in developing Server and/or Client applications (especially in Eclipse’s RCP Java UI framework).
   

Additional Qualifications and Experience at Senior Level:

• Experience of development on UNIX-like operating systems.