Specialist Technician in Electron Diffraction

Full Time Fixed Term for 3 years

Closing Date: Tuesday 21 February 2023

Interview Date: To be confirmed

You will be an electron microscopist/diffractionist supporting the establishment of the world’s first national facility for structural solution by electron diffraction in close partnership with the University of Warwick. This is funded by the EPSRC to install the first two dedicated electron diffractometers in the UK and make the technique available to users nationally (EP/X014444/1, https://gow.epsrc.ukri.org/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/X014444/1). You will have the unique opportunity to be involved in setting up the first large-scale facility for this technique.

It is essential you have knowledge of electron diffraction and/or microscopy. Experience of single crystal X-ray diffraction for structural solution is an advantage, but not essential. Your skills will be crucial in developing a facility running alongside the National Crystallography Service (NCS, https://www.ncs.ac.uk/) at the University of Southampton. There will be extensive interaction with the instrument manufacturer, Rigaku, often working alongside their application scientists. You will lead the development and application of structural studies using electron diffraction, both locally at the University of Southampton and nationally as the new facility becomes established. Mentored by Professor Simon Coles and Dr Mark Light, you will work alongside the experienced, established NCS team and closely collaborate with colleagues at Warwick. The post will involve technique development; running internal and external academic and industrial user samples (communication with users/clients, data collection and analysis, report writing); training of internal users (postdoctoral and PhD researchers) and maintenance of the instrument. The post will provide the opportunity to work with top researchers on a range of projects, examining a range of new materials from molecular substances to extended solids, and testing novel sample environments.
 
As a leading facility for single crystal diffraction, the NCS is one of the highest throughput facilities globally and houses some of the most advanced X-ray diffraction equipment in the world. By providing advanced nationwide services, NCS gives UK researchers access to crystallographic results that they couldn’t achieve with conventional approaches. The Chemistry diffraction facilities support internal research across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Southampton, as well as external users from industry. There are currently nine laboratory X-ray diffraction instruments as well as advanced SEM and TEM facilities. 

Chemistry considers applicants wishing to work flexibly and those who have taken a career break. The University has a generous maternity policy and onsite childcare facilities. Further information:  https://www.southampton.ac.uk/chemistry/about/Equality/index.page 

The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. We are committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university having recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward.

The University of Southampton is a signatory of the Technician Commitment & a partner affiliate of the National Technician Development Centre (NTDC) and committed to supporting our technical staff. We offer a wide range of opportunities including networking, mentoring, training, professional registration & career development.

For further information, please contact m.e.light@soton.ac.uk  

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Application Procedure 

The application deadline is midnight on the closing date stated above. Please include a covering letter and full CV in your application. If you need assistance, call Recruitment on  +44 (0) 23 8059 2750, or email recruitment@soton.ac.uk. Quote the advert reference 2151023EB on all correspondence. 

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