Data Acquisition - Beamline Support Team Leader

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a huge scientific facility designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared, and ultraviolet light. Our scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a Beamline Support Team Leader within the Diamond Data Acquisition (DAQ) group to lead the team supporting and developing data acquisition software for Diamond’s Soft Condensed Matter (SCM) and Crystallography science groups.

The SCM Group provides the infrared (IR) and Circular Dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and, both Small and Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS and WAXS) imaging capabilities of Diamond. This unique portfolio of beamlines can analyse a range of samples that include two-dimensional thin films (photovoltaics), living mammalian cells, three-dimensional matrices (metal-organic frameworks) and nanoparticles in non-crystalline states.

This role involves technically guiding and leading the team developing data acquisition solutions for the SCM and Crystallography Science Groups as well as contributing to those solutions.

As a Team Leader in the DAQ Group you will work alongside other software engineers supporting a range of experimental techniques and developing GDA capabilities in an open and collaborative environment. You will be required to interact with scientists and translate their specifications for scientific capabilities into software requirements.

You will liaise with controls and motions engineers to put these requirements into action. You will collaborate with the beamline scientists and science group leaders to prioritise the work of your team and you will support the DAQ Core Team in the modernisation of the Acquisition Platform. You will also potentially participate in international collaborations within this domain.

About You

You will be qualified to degree level in a STEM subject, with experience in the full Software Development Lifecycle, using a modern high-level language, and with an understanding of good software design principles and design for usability.

Experience of working with large and complex code bases would be an advantage, as would experience of Python, Java, Spring, JMS message-oriented middleware, Java RMI, the HDF5 file format, the Eclipse RCP platform, REST and Kubernetes.

You should display good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills, with personal interest or experience in a science environment.

You should additionally be able to demonstrate the following essential leadership capabilities:

• Strong leadership and organisation.
• Proven experience in managing small teams of software engineers.
• Proven experience in providing technical leadership.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 25 days annual leave plus 13 days of statutory and company holidays, along with flexible working hours and an excellent pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities.

To Apply

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

Advert information