Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) for X-ray Optics

Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) for X-ray Optics
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire
Salary £33,963 to £39,955 per annum dependent upon skills and experience
Full time / Flexible hours considered.
3 Years Fixed Term
Reference: 10714

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 well-established Optics and Metrology Group of Diamond to work on the development of X-ray optics. You will work within the Optics and Metrology group to undertake research. You will be required to devote some time to provide expert support to Diamond beamlines in the design, testing and optimisation of beamline optics, taking part in optics development projects.

The Optics and Metrology Group provides expert support in the design, development, testing, and optimisation of X-ray optics for Diamond’s beamlines. This position will contribute to the LEAPS-INNOV project SuperFlat which aims to improve the quality of X-ray mirrors available to European and UK researchers. This international collaboration involves 10 research facilities.

You will focus on the development of instrumentation and techniques for the in-house developed ion beam figuring system, with the ultimate aim of producing high-quality X-ray mirrors.

You will demonstrate knowledge / experience in the following areas:
• Carry out in-house research in one or more fields of X-ray optics and metrology (see appendix).
• Carry out experiments, analysing data and publish results.
• Develop experimental and data analysis techniques and implement them in the optics group and/or beamlines, as appropriate.
• Provide support in areas of optics to the beamline scientists for specifying, procuring, and testing of beamline optics.
• Keep up with the latest results and research directions internationally.
• Present latest results and research in international conferences and workshops.
• Publish work in peer-reviewed journals.
• Operate and optimise an ion beam figuring (IBF) system to improve the surface quality of X-ray optics to be used on Diamond’s beamlines.
• Take initiative in developing hardware upgrades and analysis techniques to improve the performance of the IBF system.
• Perform metrology measurements in the optics metrology laboratory of Diamond and use this data as input to guide the IBF process.

About You

You will hold a degree in an appropriate Science or equivalent qualification, an appropriate PhD and proven relevant experience.

• Technical aptitude to expertly operate computer-controlled instruments.
• You will require excellent IT and data analysis skills.
• Good programming experience in Python, C++, Matlab or similar platform.
• Experience in a related field such as X-ray metrology or X-ray optics.
• Proficient in the safe handling of delicate optics and intricate instruments.
• Relevant experience or knowledge of synchrotrons.
• Experience in the use of non-contact metrology of optics.
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively. through to completion.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

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 30th of January 2022.