B18 – Core XAS is a general purpose, high throughput beamline dedicated to X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy at Diamond. B18 is installed on a bending magnet section, is equipped with a continuously scanning monochromator and optical elements to provide focused X-rays in the energy range 2.05-35 keV, to cover the K and/or L edges of most elements. B18 supports a multidisciplinary user community and in-house research, with most common applications in the chemistry, catalysis, energy materials and the environmental sciences areas.

We are looking for an experienced and highly motivated support scientist to join the interdisciplinary beamline team. The post involves designing, commissioning, and testing components of the beamline, including sample environments and data analysis methods, helping users with their experiments, maintaining the beamline during operations and participating to the management of the peripheral laboratories. Candidates will have an appropriate degree in an area relevant to the beamline research themes, experience in XAS data analysis, the use of scientific instrumentation and data collection.

To assist the Principal Beamline Scientist with the commissioning and operation of the beamline. Work closely with other scientists and support groups within Diamond to ensure smooth operation of the beamline providing beam time to the scientific user community.

Support Scientist -To assist the Principal Beamline Scientist with the commissioning and operation of the beamline. Work closely with other scientists and support groups within Diamond to ensure smooth operation of the beamline providing beam time to the scientific user community. 

User support
Support the scientific research projects of external and internal users (including in-house scientific research) to enable them to perform their experiments on the beamline, including:

• Act as a single point of contact (“Local Contact”) for users, to enable the successful completion of their experiments within the allocated beamtime;
• Communicating effectively and in a timely manner with beamline users to establish and implement the requirements in time for their scheduled experiment;
• When necessary, organize pre- and post- experimental visits ensuring liaison with user office and availability of required facilities;
• Setting up multiple complex pieces of equipment to meet the requirements for the user’s experiments;
• Training users in the safety procedures, including the radiological Personnel Safety System and laboratory safety, to enable them to work safely while on site.

Beamline and peripheral lab development

• Liaising with suppliers for the procurement and installation of beamline components; diagnosing faults and organising repairs with suppliers and other support groups   to provide un-interrupted service for users;
• Providing input to safety aspects of the beamline and peripheral laboratories (including risk and COSHH assessments) where necessary;
• Create and maintain a comprehensive and up to date beamline operation documentation including examples for users;
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the beamline peripheral support laboratories, where applicable; overseeing activities, and ensuring safe working environment for preparation of samples.

Scientific research

• Provide technical assistance to external and in-house research;
• Where applicable, perform scientific experiments to assist with the commissioning of the beamline and beamline equipment.

Outreach and Public Engagement

• Promote Diamond externally; this could include public outreach activity and engaging with the scientific community. 

Senior Support Scientist - To collaborate with the Principal Beamline Scientist for the commissioning and operation of the beamline. Work closely with other scientists and support groups within Diamond to ensure smooth operation of the beamline providing beam time to the scientific user community.

User support
Support the scientific research projects of external and internal users (applying specialist scientific knowledge) to enable them to perform their experiments on the beamline, including:

• Act as a single point of contact (“Local Contact”) for users, to enable the successful completion of their experiments within the allocated beamtime;
• Communicate effectively and in a timely manner with users, to establish and implement the requirements in time for their scheduled experiment;
• Provide technical and scientific expertise to users, advising on the best possible strategy for experimental and data collection procedures including data analysis;
• Actively participate in pre- and post-experimental scientific discussions to enable the publication of the results in peer reviewed journals;
• Setting up multiple complex and bespoke pieces of equipment to meet the requirements for the user’s experiments;
• Training users in the safety procedures, including radiological Personnel Safety System and laboratory safety, to enable them to work safely while on site;
• Beamline and, where applicable, peripheral lab development;
• Manage the development, procurement, testing, installation, and maintenance of bespoke scientific equipment and software to perform novel experiments on the beamline and the peripheral laboratory;
• Create and maintain a comprehensive and up to date beamline operation documentation including training materials and tutorials for users;
• Work with the Principal Beamline Scientist on strategies and implementations for improvements to operational procedures and beamline component development;
• Manage the day-to-day coordination of support groups at Diamond to implement beamline upgrade projects, to improve the quality of the beamline, develop solutions for emerging problems, and ensure its smooth operation;
• Provide input and recommendations in safety aspects of the beamline and peripheral laboratories, including risk and COSHH assessments, where necessary;
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the beamline peripheral support laboratories, where applicable; overseeing activities, and ensuring safe working environment for preparation of samples.

Scientific research

• In line with the beamline strategy, devise, perform, and collaborate on in-house and external scientific experiments, collect and analyze data, and disseminate results.

Outreach and Public Engagement

• Promote Diamond externally; this could include public outreach activity and engaging with the scientific community. 

• Appropriate Science or Engineering Degree;
• Experience in the use of scientific instrumentation in a synchrotron radiation facility;
• Capability of writing specifications and instructions for scientific instrumentation;
• Experience in scientific data collection;
• Knowledge of X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy techniques;
• Good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills;
• Ability to interact with staff and facility users at all levels;
• Ability to work flexibly including weekend and out-of hours working;
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Self motivation;
• Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences;
• Good organizational and planning skills.

• Appropriate PhD or equivalent; (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Proven relevant experience; (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Experience of EXAFS / XANES data analysis; (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Experience in laboratory characterization techniques (e.g. RAMAN, Mass Spectrometry); (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Experience in handling hazardous chemicals and COSHH procedures; (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Experience in programming (e.g. Python); (Essential for appointment at the senior level)
• Experience in supporting Scientists in the conduct of research in a synchrotron or equivalent facility; (Essential for appointment at the senior level) 

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