Senior Science Facility Technician

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 channelled into beamlines and used for academic and industrial 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 are looking to appoint a senior-level technician with a mechanical background to the role of Senior Science Facility Technician (known internally as Senior Beamline Technician) to maintain and support operational and scientific research activities on the I11 beamline at Diamond. This highly active world-class beamline is optimised for high-resolution and time-resolved X-ray powder diffraction studies of the atomic-level structure and evolution of materials under a wide range of ambient and non-ambient conditions through the use of sensitive detectors, in situ sample environments (e.g., variable high/low temperature, humidity, gas loading and flow) and heavy duty, high-precision motorised mechanical measuring apparatus.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the maintenance and installation of the beamline instruments, various moving and static components, cryogenic and vacuum systems along with other infrastructure systems, and to work with the beamline team and other staff across the organisation in providing support to the beamline’s varied user programme and the commissioning and development of new and existing sample environment cells.

Responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out a variety of light mechanical and electrical assembly tasks (e.g., building new equipment, or developments for subsystems of the scientific equipment, such as specialist non-ambient sample environments), including one-off small-scale fabrications, machining, and modifications, including motorised stages.
• Supervising and coordinating the installation and commissioning of specialist beamline equipment, with cross-group resource planning.
• Taking part in operational planning, liaising with, and coordinating tasks with members of other specialist technical and engineering support groups across the wider organisation to complete various works according to plan.
• Interacting with both the scientific beamline staff and facility users to ensure the beamline’s facilities and equipment can meet the scientific requirements. Preparing and installing equipment for upcoming experiments, removal afterwards and making safe. You may also be called upon during experiments to fault find and effect repairs or modifications at short notice.
• Proactively planning and implementing the execution of routine inspection and maintenance of the beamline as well as scheduled safety testing and managing the day-to-day running of the beamline equipment.
• Installation of new beamline mechanical components, detectors including in-vacuum items
• Working closely with other technical, engineering, and scientific staff to produce designs new systems, equipment, or processes.
• Contributing to or completing risk and method statements; ensuring that all beamline work is carried out safely and using the correct processes such as ATW, PTW.
• Supervising junior internal or external staff / contractors.

About you

Suitable candidates must have significant technical experience and hold a ONC or GNVQ level 2 or equivalent qualification or apprenticeship, though applicants with equivalent work experience will also be considered. Applications from suitably trained and qualified candidates, but who have less experience, may also be considered for appointment at a non-senior level.

You will demonstrate core knowledge/experience of:

• Interpreting mechanical drawings to produce simple engineering drawings for machining and/or production of 3D printed items.
• Machining experience and practical workshop skills
• Assembly to drawings and tolerance specifications
• Using quality assurance procedures, work planning, risk assessments and safe systems of work, including COSHH, PUWER etc.

You will also have proven experience in at least one, preferably more, of the following key areas:

• Ultra-high vacuum systems, fittings, pumps and working practices.
• Cryogenics (LN2 and He) and water-cooled systems.
• High temperatures/pressures and the handling and use of specialist gases/vapours (including use of appropriate regulators, making, testing and maintaining fitments (e.g. Swagelok), PSSR assessments).
• Handling/disposal of hazardous substances and chemicals.

Experience with cranes and slings etc. for heavy lifting would also be advantageous, as would experience of working at another large-scale science or technology orientated engineering facility.

You will demonstrate good interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work unsupervised, both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

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

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 April 2023, however applications will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis after this until this vacancy is filled.