Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Condensed Matter Physics (ARPES)

Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Condensed Matter Physics (ARPES)
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire
Salary £33,963 – £39,955 per annum, dependent upon skills and experience
Full time / 3 Years fixed term

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 work on our Beamline I05, which is designed for angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES). On this beamline we use the intense extreme ultraviolet (EUV, 18 – 240 eV) beam from the synchrotron for detailed studies of the electronic structure of quantum materials. We have two end-stations, one for high resolution ARPES (HR-ARPES) and the other for spatially resolved ARPES (nano-ARPES).

Since we started operating this beamline in 2014, the HR-ARPES activity has been extremely productive with excellent results allowing us to attract world-leading researchers interested in high temperature (High-Tc) superconductor and Topological materials. The nano-ARPES branch relies on strong focusing of the beam to produce a sub-micron spot size at the sample surface that is scanned to gain information on the correlation between the spatial structure and the electronic band structure. Our facility offers in operando capability, where a gating voltage (or current) can be applied to the sample whilst exploring its effects on the electronic structure. We are also currently commissioning a new optic for microARPES to reach sub-micron spatial resolution with high flux. Research on this branch includes studies on inhomogeneous systems, surface terminations, bulk topological materials and heterostructures of exfoliated 2D material.

As a PDRA you will be expected to lead your own internationally competitive research related to the beamline capability, working closely with the beamline staff, and present the results in academic publications and conference talks. You will also contribute to the on-going research within the group and manage the day-to-day running of projects. The successful applicant will join a small team of enthusiastic and very experienced scientists including 2 PhD students.

Further responsibilities will include:
• Identifying research objectives and carrying out appropriate research activities
• Attending relevant scientific meetings and presenting your work
• Leading in the analysis and authoring of scientific results in international peer-reviewed journals
• A secondary aspect of the role will be providing user support for a few weeks of scheduled beamtime each year, after training from the beamline staff

This role will require occasional travel within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences.

About You
You will hold (or be close to obtaining) a PhD in condensed matter physics, or a closely related discipline.

You should be familiar with ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) systems, and ARPES measurements and analysis.

You will be highly motivated and willing to actively participate in the beamline activities, particularly the in-house research effort.

You will have a scientific interest or experience in the fields of topological materials, correlated electron systems, surface science, electronic structure calculations, or 2D materials would be an advantage.

You will have good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills to interact with a range of colleagues and stakeholders.

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
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 14th March 2021, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.