Based onsite - Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

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.

Diamond is one of the most advanced scientific facilities in the world, and its pioneering capabilities and talented staff are helping to keep the UK at the forefront of scientific research. 

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for a Physicist/Engineer or Senior Physicist/Engineer to join our Diagnostics team, to provide expert technical knowledge and hands-on experimental support to Diamond’s beamlines and accelerators.

The Diagnostics group provides a variety of instrumentation and feedback systems to act as “eyes and ears” throughout the accelerator and beamline complex to characterise the electron and photon beams, thus enabling control and delivery of high-quality beams for the scientific user community.

The stability of the electron and photon beams at Diamond is key to the delivery of world leading science. With a multi-million-pound accelerator and beamlines upgrade project underway, known as Diamond-II, the requirement of sub-micron electron beam stability poses new challenges and opportunities for the development and deployment of innovative instrumentation.

This is a cross-functional role based in Diamond’s Technical Division, that includes working closely with interdisciplinary groups and beamlines across the organisation to measure and improve Diamond’s X-ray beam stability.

Duties include:

• Managing the maintenance and calibration of diagnostics equipment, including white beam X-ray beam position monitors (XBPMs), monochromatic beam XBPMs, optical diagnostics, and the associated acquisition hardware.
• Maintaining a current knowledge of other, comparable beamline and accelerator projects.
• Communicating with physicists/scientists at other facilities to ensure exchange of knowledge.
• Providing technical expertise for research and development, operational support and analysis of installed systems.

Additional duties at the Senior level: 

• Lead research activities into methods and techniques to improve existing or implement new measurements, provide direction for new areas of research.
• Project manage the delivery of new diagnostics systems, on time and on budget using resource and procurement plans.
• Deliver high quality reporting and professional advice, presenting findings to senior management and guiding future approach.

Successful applicants will be appointed at either Grade 4 or 5, depending on the strength of your skills, experience, and qualifications.

About You

Suitable candidates should be qualified to degree level in physics or engineering, or demonstrate significant equivalent experience, with a relevant postgraduate qualification desirable, particularly to be considered at senior level.

You will demonstrate knowledge and experience of experimental techniques and data analysis, and have some familiarity with optical systems. Knowledge of accelerator physics and experience of particle accelerator facilities, beamlines and beam diagnostics is beneficial.

You should have a good knowledge and understanding of experimental measurements, data collection processes and equipment. You should have some experience with hands-on, practical work using measurement equipment and instrumentation.

To be considered at a senior level you will also demonstrate experience of staff leadership and of project management.

All candidates should demonstrate good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills, with the ability to interact effectively with staff and facility users at all levels.

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 14^th July 2024, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis until this vacancy is filled.