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 Post-doctoral Research Associate to join the Diamond Accelerator Physics Group for an initial period of 3-years.

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 multimillion-pound 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.

The duties of this role include conducting theoretical, numerical and experimental studies of the existing and future Diamond accelerators in order to understand and improve the performance. These studies cover a broad range of activities, including on-going linear and nonlinear beam dynamics optimisation studies, modelling of collective effects and developing the tools and techniques required to carry out these studies.

The role also 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.

About You

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

You will also demonstrate knowledge and experience in Accelerator Physics along with good physics and mathematical background, including electromagnetism, mechanics and optics.

Any further experience or knowledge from the following is desirable:

• The study of collective effects in storage rings.
• A thorough working knowledge of MATLAB, Python and the LINUX environment.
• Accelerator Physics modelling codes such as Accelerator Toolbox, ELEGANT and MBTRACK.

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

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

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 closing date for applications is 27^th April.