Post-Doctoral Research Associate / Senior Accelerator Physicist

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Salary £33,963 to £39,955 per annum (Discretionary range to £45,949), or £43,790 to £51,517 per annum (Discretionary range to £59,245) for the Senior level

Full time/3-year Fixed Term

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

The Accelerator Physics (AP) Group is responsible for all AP-related activities and operations at Diamond, including conducting both near and long-term research and development to keep performance at the forefront of accelerators worldwide. The team is currently focussed on the Diamond-II upgrade project, in which the storage ring will be replaced with a high-brightness multi-bend achromat structure. This upgrade will enable x-rays to be generated with unprecedented levels of brilliance, transverse coherence and reduced spatial dimensions, allowing significant advances to be made across a broad range of scientific fields. 

We now have an opportunity for a Post-doctoral Research Associate or Senior Accelerator Physicist to join the Diamond Accelerator Physics Group for an initial period of 3 years. 

The duties of this role include conducting theoretical, numerical, and experimental studies of the existing and future Diamond accelerators to understand and improve the performance. These studies cover a broad range of activities, including on-going linear and nonlinear beam dynamics optimisation studies, application of machine learning techniques to improve performance, studying the injection process and developing the tools and techniques required to carry out this work. The role will involve interacting with other technical groups at Diamond. You will also take part in machine development activities for the existing Diamond accelerators.

Further responsibilities will include:

• Maintaining a current knowledge of other comparable projects and communicating with scientists at other international facilities and conferences to ensure exchange of knowledge.
• Developing skills and experience in all areas of Accelerator Physics.
• Publishing research results in journals and conference proceedings.
• Delivering high-quality internal reporting and professional advice. 

At the Senior level responsibilities will also include:

• Providing professional leadership and guiding future approach.
• Building collaborations inside and outside of Diamond.
• Mentoring and leading more junior staff and students. 

Successful applicants will be appointed as either a Post-Doctoral Research Associate or Senior Accelerator Physicist depending on the strength of your skills, experience, and qualifications. 

A flexible approach to work is required including some out of hours work in support of accelerator operations, as well as occasional UK and overseas visits.

About you

You will hold a PhD in an appropriate branch of Physics with the willingness to develop a deeper knowledge of accelerator physics, along with the following, 

• Knowledge and experience in Accelerator Physics
• Good experience in the development and use of numerical algorithms to solve Physics problems; ability to handle large scale simulations
• Ability to solve technical problems, evaluate alternative courses of action, take decisions, and innovate where necessary. 

You will need good communication and presentational skills, initiative, and self-motivation. 

To Apply

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

The closing date for applications 19^th of February 2023.

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