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Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate, Beamline I16
Job Reference DIA0792/CB
Post Type
Division Science
Salary information Circa £33k
Application deadline 23/12/2012


Job Description

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.

Beamline I16 (Materials & Magnetism) has been operational for five years and provides a World-class single crystal diffraction facility that is optimised for resonant and magnetic x-ray scattering in the 3-15 keV energy range. It provides variable photon polarization, a six-circle kappa diffractometer and a range  of sample environments and advanced detectors, to support a vibrant UK and international research community and in-house team, focusing on electronic ordering in materials that are of topical interest in condensed matter physics.

A PDRA is required to develop software for data analysis and modelling of resonant and magnetic scattering.

The post holder will have a good understanding of resonant x-ray scattering and crystallography, to carry out software development. The goal is to develop and test a library of Python-based software tools to allow users to model experimental data from the beamline, mainly from resonant and non-resonant magnetic scattering experiments. This will include coordinate transformations, magnetic structures, scattering matrices and application of symmetry to atomic tensors. The software tools, based on a clear and documented set of definitions, will then be used by Diamond users and staff as a basis for building their own codes for post-experiment data analysis as well as 'real-time' simulations to guide measurements on the beamline.

The successful candidate will assist and advise some user groups with the analysis of their data. A further goal is to implement high-level educational example scripts in order to allow students to experiment with various parameters in order to gain insight into the underlying physics.

  • Develop and document an agreed set of physical definitions;
  • Develop and test Python code based on these definitions using professional coding practices and standards;
  • Work closely with beamline staff and users to ensure that the codes produced are appropriate for modelling data from the beamline;
  • Work closely with DLS Scientific Software and Data Acquisition groups to ensure that code is developed, maintained and documented using Diamond systems.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate first degree;
  • PhD;
  • Good knowledge of x-ray diffraction and crystallography;
  • Good knowledge of condensed matter physics, including magnetism;
  • Experience of programming (ideally Python);
  • Skilled in computer programming, ideally Python;
  • Proven track record in advanced data analysis;
  • Good organisational and planning skills;
  • 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.

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Experience with synchrotron-based techniques and instrumentation;
  • Experience of sample environment equipment;
  • Experience with Windows/Linux/Unix.

Further Information

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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