Postdoctoral Research Associate - I21 Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering

Job content

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire – primarily based onsite / some home working available.

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 exciting opportunity for a motivated scientist to take on a post-doctoral research position at the leading-edge of Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering (RIXS) in the soft x-ray range. Diamond’s Beamline I21 is an advanced soft X-ray RIXS facility delivering world-leading photon flux and spectral resolving power. The instrument has produced many ground-breaking results and publications in high-impact journals.
The successful candidate will primarily focus on scientific research area of emergent phenomena of quantum materials and functional materials exploited by the ultra-high-resolution RIXS. RIXS is a powerful technique sensitive to spin-, charge-, orbital-, and lattice- degrees of freedom. Due to the vast improvement of the energy resolution, RIXS has been shown as a key probe for resolving collective plasmons, orbitons, magnons, and electron-phonon couplings, which are hallmark of correlated quantum materials such as unconventional superconductors, topological insulators, and novel magnetic materials.
You will play an active role in further optimising our existing capabilities and have the opportunity to be influential in developments of the sample environment, the data analysis, and the future beamline upgrade.
You will be expected to participate in internationally competitive research programmes which exploit the capabilities of I21 and Diamond in general. You will be encouraged to establish new collaborative directions using RIXS and other relevant tools. You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories within the magnetic materials group, the Research Complex at Harwell, and ISIS.
UK and overseas travel will be required, along with the ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours working.

About You
You will have an appropriate Science Degree and PhD, along with proven experience and research interest in relevant areas.
You should have experience in many-body condensed matter physics using one or more of following techniques:

• X-ray absorption spectroscopy
• Resonant X-ray scattering
• X-ray photoemission spectroscopy
• Inelastic neutron scattering

Experience in theoretical modelling such as multiplet calculations and/or density functional theory would be advantageous. Experience in programming software such as Python would also be desirable.
You will display good interpersonal, communication and presentational skills in order to interact with facility staff and users at all levels.

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 5th November 2023, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.

Other information

• Further company benefits
• Life at Diamond
• Nuvos Pension Scheme

Where relevant, and possible for the role, we will consider flexible working arrangements, secondment and job share opportunities.
Diamond attract talented individuals from around the world and currently employ 44 different nationalities. Reflecting trends in our sector we employ more men than women (77% men and 23% women as at March 2021). Therefore, we particularly welcome applications from suitably qualified women.
If you are disabled and would like to be considered under the Disability Confident 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 Two.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Salary: £37,087.00-£40,754.00 per year

Work Location: In person