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Postdoctoral Researcher – Probing materials under high pressure

UK Research and Innovation

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £39,375 per annum 

Hours: Full time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (24 months) 

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. And, alongside world class engineers, technicians and technologists, use everything you've learnt to find real answers that shape society and improve lives.

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

As part of a recent collaboration between ISIS and PSI, a package of work relating to the development of new techniques for high-pressure neutron and muon measurements has been put together. Part of this work package includes funding for a postdoctoral researcher, to expand the high-pressure science program at both ISIS and PSI.

Background

The ISIS Neutron and Muon Source (ISIS) is one of the UK’s leading national research facilities for studying condensed matter at extreme conditions. As a central facility, ISIS has a strong scientific user programme with extensive national and international links. This includes the neutron and muon facilities in Switzerland, Paul Scherrer Institut (PSI, SINQ and SmS). This has resulted in the formation of a collaborative project between ISIS and PSI, looking to develop new programmes of study in high-pressure for both facilities.

This new research position will join the Crystallography Group at ISIS, working in collaboration with researchers at PSI. The ISIS Crystallography Group operates 7 neutron diffraction instruments, performing diffraction measurements covering a range of academic and industrial research. High-pressure measurements are routinely performed on many of these instruments, including on the dedicated PEARL diffractometer. PEARL is designed around the Paris-Edinburgh press, with working pressures up to ~25 GPa. However, there is a growing need to perform high pressure experiments with high precision over the 0-2 GPa range, over wide scope of temperatures.

PEARL can deliver very low-background, well corrected data from a wide range of different sample types. Some ‘softer’, less stable, or highly polymorphic materials exhibit a very large response to pressure requiring a greater pressure control than can be obtained from a typical gasket/anvil assembly. For example, this is meaningful for the study of many molecular materials, which can also demonstrate exciting magnetic phenomena which can be studied uniquely with neutrons and muons. This is also the case for other crystallographically-complex samples where significant changes are often witnessed over a small pressure range.

We are looking to appoint a highly motivated research scientist to a two-year postdoctoral position at ISIS. The principal duties are to work with the instrument team on PEARL to develop the high-pressure diffraction capabilities available to the user programme at ISIS and PSI. In addition, independent research will be encouraged, though this should relate to high-pressure phenomena using neutron diffraction and muon spectroscopy.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact: Christopher Ridley Christopher.ridley@stfc.ac.uk

List of Duties / Work Programme / Responsibilities

  • Conduct high quality research using high pressure techniques.
  • Develop large-volume high-pressure sample environment for use on neutron scattering instruments.
  • Investigate the feasibility of extending these high-pressure developments to muon spectroscopy.
  • Write beamtime applications for central facility access (ISIS, PSI and other central facilities).
  • Provide supervision for students and team members (dependent on experience).
  • Disseminate research via publications and conference presentations.
  • Contacts and Communication.

You will interact with a broad range of ISIS staff, and form part of our new collaboration with PSI. You should be willing to travel and is expected to present their scientific work and represent the group at meetings (both at ISIS and PSI) and other international conferences. Additionally you will also interact with visitors, predominantly from higher education institutions and industry.

Please note: you will be expected to work in radiation areas, out-of-hours occasionally (at night and weekends), in confined spaces (2x2m2 floor area) and travel abroad where business needs. 

The below criteria will be reviewed through shortlisting criteria (S) and or Interview criteria (I)

Essential: 

  • PhD, or about to receive a PhD, in a physical science or related field. (S)
  • Proven scientific background in relevant field with evidence of a developing independent scientific profile in high-pressure, commensurate with experience. (S&I)
  • Experience of working with neutrons and or muons (S&I)
  • Experience of sample- environment development (S&I)
  • Experience of high-pressure diffraction, including data analysis methods (S&I)
  • Practical Engineering skills (S&I)
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral English) (S&I).
  • Awareness of health and safety responsibilities. (I)
  • Ability to work collaboratively, individually on complex problems and to act effectively on instructions from a team leader.(I)
  • Good presentation skills.(I)

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.

Please note, if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application you and any dependants travelling with you, will be required to pay costs directly to The Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. 

UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. 

For more information please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ 

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ 

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. 

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. 

More information can be found at www.ukri.org. 

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

How to apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. 

Additional Information

  • Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - ISIS
  • Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
  • External Closing Date: Apr 1, 2024
  • Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 39,375
  • Hours: Full-time
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Confirmed 5 hours ago. Posted 21 days ago.

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