Beamline Scientist - Multimode InfraRed Imaging

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire – based onsite.

Full time / Flexible hours considered.
Term: 3 Years

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.

At Diamond we are currently undertaking a major upgrade of the facility, known as Diamond-II. Diamond-II will combine a new machine and new beamlines with a comprehensive series of upgrades to optics, detectors, sample environments, sample delivery capabilities and computing, which will ultimately generate an even more brilliant light source at a higher energy. 

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a Beamline Scientist, or Senior Beamline Scientist to directly support the Principal Beamline Scientists (PBSs) on B22 and B21 during operations starting from this phase of the Diamond-II planning and early stages of development. The position will ensure smooth operations of B22 by providing beamtime to the science user community and performing experimental development in the InfraRed and (IR) TeraHertz (THz) range. The scientist will work closely with the other scientists on the IR beamline, technical team in the Soft Condensed Matter village, and engineers/scientist from support groups at Diamond.

The appointment will primarily be with B22 and transition to support the B21 PBS.  

B22 is a broadband and bright Synchrotron IR source which enables Fourier Transform IR (FTIR) microspectroscopy at the highest spectral quality and optical spatial resolution. Moreover, THz research capability allow seamless near-to-far IR spectroscopy on the same B22 instrument and sample position. MIRIAM has pioneered Synchrotron IR imaging by Focal Plane Array (FPA) with applications in the life science, e.g. real-time live cells’ metabolism. Improvements in beam-shaping and illumination are now being implemented through a novel, machine learning-based, adaptive optics. B22 is world-leading in Synchrotron-based photothermal nanospectroscopy (AFM-IR) and now provides a unique end-station capable of both AFM-IR and scattering FTIR nanospectroscopy (s-SNOM).

This opportunity will be primarily responsible for the experimental research in support of B22 user operations, and in commissioning of B22 scientific/technical upgrades. Similarly, on B21, the scientist will be primarily responsible for supporting the high-throughput user program in bioSAXS.

The successful candidate will contribute to the user operation of the beamline, as well as actively pursuing their own scientific research programme, in agreement with the PBS and in line with the Soft-Condensed Matter beamline strategy of research.

Particularly favourable will be considered experimental interests and studies by candidates in any one the following field of:

• Imaging or spectroscopy in biology, medicine, or biochemistry
• Polymer sciences and composite material characterization via microanalysis
• Physical chemistry of soft condensed matter via imaging or analytical methods
• Multidisciplinary applications (e.g. biomineralogy, food or environmental sciences, etc) involving micro spectroscopy or imaging.

*Applicants will be considered at either Grade 4 or 5, depending on the strength of your skills, experience, and qualifications. *

About You

You should hold a degree (including PhD or second degree) or equivalent qualification or proven relevant experience within a suitable subject, e.g.: 

• Chemistry/biochemistry
• Medicine/biology
• Physics/engineering
• Scientific/Technical/Engineering disciplines

You will have lab knowledge or experimental experience in the following:

• IR or Raman (preferable)
• Spectroscopy or microscopy/imaging
• Data or image acquisition, processing, and analysis (preferably in spectroscopy or imaging)

To be considered for the Senior role you will also demonstrate the following knowledge or experience: 

• Beamline instrumentation, including detectors and optics.
• Supporting scientists in the conduct of research in a facility or equivalent
• PhD or post doc experience

You will also have demonstrated ability to develop an independent research program, develop scientific collaborations, and successful scientific publication record.

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 31st March 2024, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.