Senior Beamline Scientist - I04-1/XChem

About Us
Diamond Light Source is one of the world’s most advanced scientific facilities. We’re home to the UK’s synchrotron light source – a giant microscope producing beams of light 10 billion times brighter than the sun. Probing the structure and composition of matter, our work drives innovation in everything from vaccines to nanotech.

About the Role
The world-first XChem facility at Diamond offers routine and fast crystal-based fragment screening to academia and industry. The platform supports all steps from crystal soaking and harvesting to data collection and analysis. It is part of the MX beamline I04-1 and is shared with the XChem industrial group; it has been at the forefront of open drug discovery efforts including COVID Moonshot and the ASAP AViDD Centre.

We are now recruiting a senior beamline scientist to manage the facility, its academic user program, operation and development. The post-holder will provide leadership to a support team of experienced staff for the day-to-day operation and closely liaise with the XChem team of the Industry Liaison Office. The role will also work closely with the Diamond-II K04 project, that will deliver a 10x increase in XChem throughput by the end of the decade; and with the OpenBind initiative, that is spearheading data generation for a new generation of AI in structure biology.

About You
You will have an appropriate first degree and PhD or significant equivalent experience. You will also have experience in the following areas:

• Compound management
• Macromolecular crystallography
• Crystal handling and soaking
• Fragment screening (any)
• Fragment follow-up
• Windows/Linux/Unix
• Programming, especially Python, and Java
• User support in an international user facility

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.

As standard this role requires a fully onsite working arrangement.

To Apply
Please use the online application process (available on the Diamond Light Source's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.

The closing date for applications is 19th October 2025; however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.

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