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.

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 a new opportunity for a Sample Environment Scientist (internally titled ‘Senior Support Scientist’) to join the Diamond teams at the DIAD and I12 beamlines.

DIAD is a new dual imaging and diffraction beamline (8-38keV) which will provide a highly integrated instrument capable of quasi-simultaneous micron-scale imaging and diffraction. I12 is an established, state-of-the-art high energy (53-150 keV) beamline for imaging and diffraction. Both DIAD and I12 are dedicated to structural investigations of materials under a wide range of environmental conditions using a combination of X-ray imaging/tomography techniques and X-ray diffraction techniques. Both instruments have a broad user community in materials science and engineering, chemical processing, biomedical engineering, bio-mechanics, and geoscience.

As an essential part of their provision of sample environments to their user communities, both beamlines have acquired a mechanical test rig with integrated tomography capabilities. The test rig will also be equipped with additional add-on sample environments, such as environmental cells or furnaces for high temperature experiments.

The Senior Sample Environment Scientist will be responsible for:

• Integration and commissioning of the mechanical test rig into the DIAD and I12 beamlines.
• Contributing to the development, commissioning and maintenance of sample environments and additional capabilities for the mechanical test rig.
• Interaction with internal staff and users as dedicated contact as part of experiment involving the mechanical test rig and sample environments.
• Supporting developments of other sample environments.

You will also support the scientific research projects of external and internal users to enable them to perform experiments; providing technical and scientific expertise, advising on strategy for experimental and data collection procedures including data analysis, and enabling the publication of the results.

Additionally, you will be involved in beamline and peripheral lab development; managing the testing, installation, and maintenance of bespoke scientific equipment and software to perform novel experiments, contributing to strategies and implementations for improvements to operational procedures and beamline component development, and providing input and recommendations in safety aspects of the beamline and peripheral laboratories.

The role will require the ability to work flexibly including some weekend and out of hours working, as well as occasional UK and overseas travel.

About You

You will hold a STEM degree and an appropriate PhD, or you will demonstrate significant equivalent experience.

You will be an experienced scientist or engineer with experience of mechanical testing. Experience with other forms of materials testing, e.g. at high or low temperature, is an asset.

You will have a background in laboratory work including practical experience in the development and build of instrumentation, as well as in scientific data collection.

Experience in X-ray imaging, X-ray diffraction and related analysis techniques will be beneficial.

Any experience of beamline instrumentation, beamline sample environment design, vacuum systems, beamline controls systems or X-ray optics is desirable.

Skills in programming languages such as Python, or equivalent will be beneficial.

You will display good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills with the ability to interact with staff and facility users at all levels. A hands-on attitude and a flexible approach are also very important to be able to cope with the dynamics of the task.

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 25 days annual leave plus 13 days of statutory and company holidays, along with flexible working hours and an excellent 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

Applicants are required to outline their suitability for this role via the online application process. Please also state where you saw this role advertised.

Diamond is a thriving international organisation, attracting a diverse range of talented individuals from around the world. Our staff currently comprises 39 nationalities and we welcome applications from everyone interested in joining us.

The closing date for applications is 23 August 2020.