VESUVIO Instrument Scientist

Salary: Band D GBP39,375 to GBP43,313 - Band E GBP48,802 to GBP53,682 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).

Hours: Full time

Contract Type: Open Ended.

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Come and do the kind of science that made you want to become a scientist. Explore the unknown and get to grips with the biggest challenges in Big Science. Alongside world class engineers and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real-answers that shape society and improve lives.

Put simply, discover the impact you can make when you work with some of the best facilities and brightest scientists in the world.

We are looking to recruit an instrument scientist to work on the VESUVIO spectrometer, one of the suite of instruments operated by the ISIS Molecular Spectroscopy Group. The role is varied: it includes supporting and collaborating with users to run experiments, conducting your own research neutron research program, and developing VESUVIO and what it offers to the scientific community. You will work with international teams and will be involved with experiments covering a wide range of scientific research disciplines.

The core capability of the VESUVIO spectrometer is neutron Compton scattering (NCS). However, in recent years, VESUVIO has expanded the range of techniques available to include neutron diffraction, neutron transmission and gamma spectroscopy based on resonant neutron absorption followed by gamma emission (through techniques such as Neutron Resonance Capture Analysis (NRCA) and Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA . PGAA and NRCA are among the most fruitful techniques for the isotopic characterisation of a wide variety of materials (e.g., metals, ceramics, and minerals). Users requesting PGAA and NRCA are becoming an important, and increasing, part of the programme. The principal aim of this post is to promote, support and extend the use of PGAA and NRCA on VESUVIO.

The duties of the position include:

Provide support to users from proposal submission through experimental time to data analysis.

Be responsible for the safety, maintenance, and calibration of VESUVIO.

Conduct a scientific research program that may include the use of the spectrometers in the group (IRIS, OSIRIS, TOSCA and VESUVIO) as well as other instruments at ISIS and other neutron sources.

Contribute to developments and improvements ,including on the instrument itself, sample environment equipment and data reduction and analysis methods.

Participate fully in the scientific life of the Molecular Spectroscopy Group, as well as that of the facility more widely.

Represent the group's interests on occasion at meetings with internal and external stakeholders.

Promote the Molecular Spectroscopy Group's capabilities with new user groups and communities, with a view to expanding the user base.

About you

You will be able to demonstrate relevant research experience, particularly involving the use of inelastic neutron scattering. You will work well in a collaborative environment and will have broad interests in order to work effectively with our users.

QualificationS:

Educated to PhD level in physics, chemistry, materials science, or similar discipline (or imminent award of a PhD)

Demonstrable potential (Band D) or proven ability (Band E) to pursue an independent research program

Proven expertise and experience in neutron techniques.

Employee Benefits:

We are offering a permanent position with a whole host of benefits including:

30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).

Flexible working hours.

An excellent defined average salary pension scheme.

Employee shopping/travel discounts.

Excellent learning and development opportunities.

How to apply:

For full details on the role, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that clearly showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role.

Closing Date: 14/01/2024

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: GBP39,375.00-GBP53,682.00 per year

Work Location: In person