Principal Beamline Scientist - Hard X-ray Nanoprobe

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Full time / Flexible hours considered.

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 Principal Beamline Scientist (PBS) to lead the hard X-ray Nanoprobe beamline (I14) at Diamond. Beamline I14 is a world class facility delivering nanoscale X-rays for multimodal characterisation, scanning X-ray fluorescence, X-ray spectroscopy (XANES) mapping, diffraction mapping and imaging, including ptychography. The beamline has a diverse user community across biological and physical sciences, and has placed a strong emphasis on developing in situ capabilities, and providing user friendly data acquisition and analysis tools. The nanoprobe beamline is part of the Imaging and Microscopy group at Diamond, 8 beamlines and facilities offering exciting opportunities for multimodal analysis across multiple length-scales.

The PBS will be responsible for providing leadership in the management of the operation, maintenance and development of the I14 beamline. They will be expected to pursue an internationally recognised research and/or methods development programme using scanning probe X-ray techniques (e.g. microfocus/nanofocus XRF, XRD, ptychography) exploiting the capabilities of I14, and those of the wider Imaging and Microscopy group.

Further responsibilities will include:

• Lead the continual programme of upgrades and state of the art developments to the beamline.
• Direct the operation of the beamline with full responsibility for the schedule, maintenance, user support, advice and involvement in beamtime and measurement methodology, data reduction/analysis and advice on publications.
• Contribute to scientific direction of long term strategic planning for Diamond in area of expertise.
• Maximise the impact of the beamline by engagement with the best user groups from across the world.
• The management and professional development of the beamline team of staff.

About You

You must have an appropriate first degree and PhD, along with an active research program relevant to the use of the nanoprobe beamline. You will be able to highlight your personal contributions to developments and research publications and demonstrate international recognition for your work.

• You will demonstrate experience in:
• Using scanning probe X-ray techniques at large-scale facilities.
• Research relevant to the nanoprobe beamline.
• Successful team management.
• Project management including budgetary and resource management responsibility for large projects.

You will display good interpersonal and presentational skills with the ability to interact effectively with staff at all levels and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

You must be available to travel occasionally in UK and overseas including overnight absences and able to work occasionally out of regular hours.

Benefit

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.

This role qualifies for a non-pensionable allowance of £3,500 per annum.

To Apply

Click on the Apply button above and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 1st September with interviews scheduled for 11th September.

Diamond attracts talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as of March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.