[Neutron] ISIS Neutron and Muon Source: Job Posting: Instrument Scientist Position in Molecular Spectroscopy

[Victoria Garcia Sakai - STFC UKRI]

Instrument Scientist for the Vesuvio Beamline
ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Salary: £31,931 to £44,166 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).
Hours: Full time.
Contract Type: Open Ended.
Closing date: November 7th, 2021
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire.
Apply on company website: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CJW691/instrument-scientist
For questions please contact Dr Victoria García Sakai, Molecular Spectroscopy Group Leader: Victoria.garcia-sakai at stfc.ac.uk<mailto:Victoria.garcia-sakai at stfc.ac.uk>
About the role
We are looking for a highly motivated and independent full-time scientist to join the Vesuvio instrument team in supporting and developing the science and instrumentation programs. Specifically we are looking for someone with an interest in studies including neutron diffraction, transmission and Compton scattering that concurrently employ a wide, thermal-to-epithermal incident neutron energy range. However, expertise in other mass- and element-specific methods (Mossbauer spectroscopy, nuclear resonant scattering) as well as electron and x-ray Compton scattering will also be an asset.
The successful candidate will interact extensively with visitors from higher education institutions as well as from industry. You will work alongside and train these visitors to perform experiments and assist with data analysis and interpretation, and publication of results. The candidate will have the opportunity to develop both collaborative and personal scientific research programmes.
This timely position represents an excellent opportunity to contribute to the development of the instrument towards the development of the current Vesuvio instrument and the creation of a new beamline, ETNA (EpiThermal Neutron Analysis), which will provide the user community with a multi-probe technique to characterize materials. ETNA will add capabilities such as energy-resolved prompt gamma activation analysis (PGAA) and imaging and transmission neutron-resonance analysis.
Duties include

  *   Interact, support and train users in performing experiments on Vesuvio and assist with data analysis and
  *   Interpretation, and publication of results.
  *   Contribute to instrument upgrades on Vesuvio
  *   Conduct a research program in a relevant scientific area
  *   Represent the group's capabilities with new user groups and communities, with a view to growing the user base
  *   Present their own scientific work at conferences and in peer reviewed publications
  *   Contribute, where required, to developments in sample environment and data reduction and analysis software
  *   Contribute to the wider activities of the Molecular Spectroscopy Group and actively represent the group in its interactions with other ISIS and STFC science and technology groups
About us
The ISIS Neutron & Muon Source is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory near Oxford in the United Kingdom. Our suite of neutron and muon instruments gives unique insights into the properties of materials at the atomic scale. We support a national and international community of more than 3000 scientists for research into subjects ranging from clean energy and the environment, pharmaceuticals and health care, through to nanotechnology and materials engineering, catalysis and polymers and on to fundamental studies of materials.
The Molecular Spectroscopy Group at ISIS develops and operates a set of world-class neutron spectrometers, Iris, Osiris, Tosca and Vesuvio, that access structure and dynamics over a very wide energy range. The techniques offer insights into diffusional mechanisms, rotations, phonon or bond vibrations, and nuclear quantum effects, in a wide variety of materials across the physical, chemical and biophysical sciences. Materials studied include those relevant for energy applications and catalysis, biologically active and soft condensed matter, cultural heritage artefacts and many other functional materials.
Vesuvio is a unique neutron spectrometer. It uses the high intensity of neutrons in the eV energy range to calculate nuclear momentum distributions, zero-point energies and effective potentials felt by nuclei in a variety of condensed matter systems, alongside other eV neutron techniques (transmission, total scattering cross-sections and neutron-gamma resonances). Science on VESUVIO stretches from fundamental physics to chemistry and materials science.Role Criteria
Role Criteria
The role is being offered at either our Band E or Band D level, dependent on your skills and experience. The criteria required at each level is highlighted in the criteria below. The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I).
Essential

·         PhD or equivalent in condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, materials science, chemistry or similar. For Band D you will be about to receive your PhD or have some post-doctoral experience; for Band E you will have several years of post-doctoral experience. (S)

·         Demonstrated potential to pursue an independent scientific programme that would make advantageous use of epithermal neutrons and the Vesuvio capabilities. For Band D you will have shown your potential for this through your PhD work; for Band E you will have an established independent research programme. (S&I)

·         Evidence of a publication record at PhD (band D) or post-doctoral (band E) levels in a relevant science area (S&I)

·         Good understanding of neutron methods using epithermal neutrons, including neutron Compton scattering (I)

·         Experience performing experiments at a large scale facility (S&I)

·         Experience with scientific data analysis (S&I)

·         Proven excellent oral and written communication in English, and good presentation skills (S&I)

·         Good computational and analytical skills (S&I)

·         Ability to work independently and in a team (I)

·         High degree of organization, dedication, responsibility and reliability (I)

·         Ability to interact effectively with ISIS staff and partners at all levels (I)

·         Responsible attitude to personal safety, and the safety of others (I)

·         Special requirements (I):

·         Available for out-of-hours work

·         Medically fit for and willing to work in classified radiation areas

·         Willing to work with chemicals and/or biological materials in the ISIS laboratories

·         Willingness to travel within the UK and overseas
Desirable:

·         Post-doctoral experience in relevant scientific area (band E) (S&I)

·         Evidence of a publication record in an area relevant to Vesuvio (e.g. neutron Compton scattering, neutron transmission, mass selective neutron spectroscopy, neutron diffraction, etc.) (S&I)

·         Experience using other complimentary techniques such as X-ray Compton scattering and nuclear resonant scattering (S&I)

·         Experience with the techniques available in the group, i.e. quasi-elastic, vibrational and/or Compton scattering (S&I)

·         Experience in the development of sample environment equipment for neutron or X-ray techniques (S&I)

·         Experience in design of neutron instrumentation (S&I)

·         Solid understanding of materials modelling software (first-principle calculations and/or molecular dynamics) (S&I)

·         Solid understanding of one or more of the data analysis / visualisation packages used for data analysis from the instruments (e.g. Python, Mantid, DAVE, MatLab, Fortran, etc.) (S&I)

·         Demonstrated potential of software development for neutron scattering data analysis (S&I)

·         Demonstrated potential of software development in Python or other programming languages (S&I)


About STFC

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.
As one of Europe's largest research organisations, we're trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we're driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

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.

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