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

The successful exploitation of the intense, brilliant and coherent light from Diamond will depend to a significant extent on the quality and performance of the monochromators, mirrors and detectors employed in the beamlines. The Optics and Metrology Group supports various beamlines in a number of areas including optical beamline design, acceptance and measurement of beamline optics, development and characterisation of specialised optics etc.

Diamond Light Source Ltd. wishes to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Associate to support the optics group scientists in the fabrication of focusing optics made of diamond. The position is funded by a STFC Facility Development Grant that will allow conducting research into micro-fabrication of refractive optics.

Within the project, we plan to fabricate, test and eventually produce a working prototype of the refractive focusing lens system that would focus the high intensity monochromatic synchrotron beams to nano-sizes without loss of brilliance. This lens system would thus enable probing samples at nano-scales from virtually any sciences – from biomedical, environmental to material sciences. Therefore the offered position is ideally suited for a post-doctoral scientist willing to contribute to the development of new optics using micro-fabrication techniques and diamond deposition methods. The ideal candidate will have experience with micro-wave plasma deposition methods for fabrication of CVD diamond structures.

• To liaise with micro-fabrication laboratories and with the “Diamond Group” at the Chemistry Department of Bristol University for the fabrication of high aspect ratio structures made of diamond;
• To lead research on diamond deposition process and characterisation to obtain x-ray lenses;
• To work closely and interact successfully with Diamond scientists and external partners towards the success of the project.

• PhD in physics, material science or related disciplines; or equivalent qualification or experience;
• Experience in micro-wave plasma deposition methods for fabrication of CVD diamond;
• 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 motivation.

• Knowledge of x-ray material properties;
• Experience with Windows/Linux/Unix;
• Experience of project management.

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