Postdoctoral Research Associate, B07

Postdoctoral Research Associate, B07
Business Area: Science
Full Time Salary: £33,963 to £39,955
Post Type: Full time / Fixed term
Term: 3 years
Provisional Interview Dates: End of January 2021
Closing Date :25/01/2021
Ref No: 10469

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 two opportunities for enthusiastic and motivated scientists to join the Diamond VerSoX (Versatile Soft X-ray) beamline team as a Post-Doctoral Research Associates on a 3 year fixed term basis.

The VerSoX beamline B07 is largely dedicated to X-ray spectroscopy under ambient-pressure environments. The beamline has been operational since summer 2017 and is used for studies of heterogeneous catalysts under mild reaction conditions and related research. In order to build up experience and expertise in this field, the beamline team also undertakes experiments at other synchrotron facilities in Europe and USA and is embedded in a network of collaborators.

The main scientific objectives of the roles are a better understanding of the interaction between bio-relevant organic molecules (e.g. amino acids, peptides, sugars) and liquid/catalyst interfaces (vacancy 1) and the role of oxides in heterogeneous catalysis for artificial photosynthesis (vacancy 2). The successful candidates will define a research programme within these areas, coordinate beamtime proposals and carry out experiments at beamlines and in the laboratory.

A flexible approach to work is required including out of hours work in carrying out in-house research and/or support of collaborating beamline users, as well as occasional UK and overseas travel including overnight absences.

About You
You will hold a PhD in an appropriate field of Chemistry, Physics, or a related Science.

You will have experience in soft X-ray techniques for chemical and structural analysis of surfaces such as X-ray absorption or photoemission spectroscopy.

Ideally you also have experience in ambient-pressure spectroscopies and/or research areas, such as Heterogenous Catalysis, Thins Films, or Bio-Inorganic Interfaces.

You will display a good background in computer-aided data acquisition and data analysis, including working knowledge of relevant programming environments (e.g. Igor, MATLAB, Python).

You will display good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills to interact with a range of colleagues and postgraduate students.

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.

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 25th January 2021 with interviews scheduled for 15th and 16th February 2021.

Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements and secondment opportunities.

Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 39 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (78% men and 22% women as at 5 April 2019). Therefore, in accordance with law and good practice, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.

If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, please let us know via the online application process.

Diamond are members of Working Families (the UK’s work-life balance organisation), we have also achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze award and Disability Confident Level One.