PDRA - Development of Machine Learning Tools for High-speed Ptychography

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire – based onsite.

Full time / Flexible hours considered.

Fixed Term until 31st March 2027

About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth, and environmental sciences.

About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate to join an international collaboration between the Paul Scherrer Institute in Switzerland and the Diamond Light Source in the UK. Synchrotron facilities across the globe are pushing to process and analyse data at increasingly high data rates. This is especially true for the imaging group at Diamond as we meet the challenge of the increase in photon flux brought by the Diamond II upgrade. The increase in brilliance will have a huge impact on coherent diffraction imaging and ptychography in particular, with the potential to provide nanoscale tomography to users in minutes. Realising this potential requires a step change in data processing and analysis. This project aims to meet this challenge by bringing together the latest advances in scientific machine learning and ptychographic imaging approaches.

We seek a motivated individual to lead the development of new machine learning based data processing and analysis methods. These methods will target data reduction, data fusion, and automated processing pipelines. The successful candidate will be based at the Diamond light source, working closely with the I13-1 beamline and other imaging group instruments. The candidate will benefit from Diamond's outstanding expertise and experience with data collection and data processing from across the imaging group and broader support teams. The project is in collaboration with PSI and the candidate will benefit from joint supervision across both facilities, including joint beamtimes and an extended visit to PSI.

Further responsibilities will include:

• Performing experiments, analysing data and publishing results.
• Supporting users in performing experiments, including data analysis.
• Keeping up with latest results and research directions internationally.
• A flexible approach to working hours is required, along with occasional UK and overseas travel including some overnight stays, including an extended stay of up to three months.

About You
You will hold an appropriate PhD degree or equivalent qualification with experience and knowledge in the following:

• Coherent imaging and ptychography
• X-ray tomography
• Programming skills, including competency in Python
• Scientific machine learning

You will demonstrate excellent interpersonal, communication and presentational skills to interact with staff and facility users at all levels. 

Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The initial closing date for applications is 06/05/2024 with interviews scheduled for 20/05/2024.

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