This vacancy is now closed
Job Title Postdoctoral Research Associate, Beamline I18
Job Reference DIA0844/TH
Post Type
Division Science
Salary information Circa £33k
Application deadline 07/07/2013


Job Description

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron and a leading scientific facility of its type in the world. Located on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, we host research facilities supporting cutting edge research in all fields of science.

We are looking to appoint a Post Doctoral Research Associate to work on the development of new combined diffraction and spectroscopic imaging methods to study, in real time, the physicochemical changes occurring within industrial catalysts during their preparation or under reaction conditions. The project will be based at Diamond on beamline I18, and other Diamond beamlines as appropriate, in collaboration with the UK Catalysis Hub based within the adjacent RCaH. This research project will be undertaken in association with Dr Andrew Beale (University College, London, who is based at the RCaH). You will also help to support I18 beamline users with their data analysis at Diamond. The beamline focuses the X-ray beam down to a few microns and has the capability to do XRF, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction on that scale. The beamline has a share of three chemistry labs which include analytical equipment such as micro-FTIR and micro-RAMAN spectrometers.
You should have an appropriate degree. Relevant synchrotron research experience and the ability to analyse either X-ray absorption spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction data is essential.

The aim of the Postdoctoral Research Associate is to develop 3d imaging "in situ" of catalyst particles using both micro diffraction and micro-X-ray fluorescence.

This post will be Working in the I18 team in the following areas:

  • Carrying out in-house research activities; specifically developing in situ 3D XRD and XRF tomography and also XANES imaging of catalytic particles;
  • Carrying out experiments, analysing data and publication of results;
  • developing experimental and data analysis techniques and implementing them on the beamline;
  • Support of I18 users in analysing their data from their experiments at Diamond;
  • development and testing of new equipment and software on the beamline;
  • keeping up with latest results and research directions internationally.

Qualification & Experience - Essential

  • Appropriate First Degree;
  • Postgraduate degree;
  • Good laboratory research skills;
  • Proven ability to write research papers;
  • Ability to plan and then carry out a research project;
  • Good Problem solving 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 motivated;
  • Must be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences;
  • Research experience of synchrotrons;

Qualification & Experience - Desirable

  • Computer Programming ability in languages such as Java or Python;
  • Experience of beamline instrumentation;
  • Knowledge of X-ray absorption spectroscopy techniques;
  • Knowledge of X-ray diffraction techniques;
  • Catalysis research experience;
  • Familiar with X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis;
  • Familiar with XRD analysis;

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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