Muon Instrument Scientist

Job title:

Muon Instrument Scientist

Company

STFC

Job description

Muon Instrument Scientist (Radio-Frequency Resonance Techniques for Muons)Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary £39,375 – £43,313 (Band D) or £48,802 – £53,682 (Band E) per annum depending on experience and skills (overtime and on call allowances are available for this role).
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Open Ended (Permanent).
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, OxfordshireCome 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 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.BackgroundThe ISIS Neutron & Muon Source is a world-leading centre for research in the physical and life sciences at the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. 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 ISIS Muon Group operates six muon spectrometers for condensed matter and molecular studies using both positive and negative muons. These spectrometers are used by researchers from around the world for a wide range of studies that include investigations in the areas of magnetism, superconductivity, charge transport, molecular and chemical studies, modelling hydrogen behaviour in, for example, semiconductors or proton conductors, and elemental analysis. The instrumentation operated by this group is currently undergoing an exciting period of development, with plans for new and state-of-the-art instruments. The group is also developing novel calculation methods, such as density functional theory (DFT) techniques, to help with the understanding of experiment results. Further details can be found at http://www.isis.stfc.ac.uk/groups/muons.There is now an opportunity for a scientist (possibly new to the muon technique) to join the muon group leading the development of Radio-Frequency (RF) techniques and associated instrumentation for novel muon spin resonance experiments, exploiting concepts from NMR/EPR. As a pulsed muon facility, ISIS is particularly suited to experiments where external stimuli are synchronised to the beam, and therefore provides an ideal platform for developing new scientific applications of RF resonance methods.Key ResponsibilitiesAs a member of the muon group, you will work with colleagues to develop both scientific and technical aspects of the muon technique, with an emphasis on exploiting magnetic resonance methods. You will collaborate with research groups coming to ISIS from the UK and overseas, providing technical and scientific guidance – you will need to be able to explain experimental details to researchers with much less experience of muon methods. You will also work closely with in-house technical and support groups as experiments are carried out.You will also be expected to develop your own research programme which, at least in part, will make use of the muon method, and you will be expected to publicise your work by publishing in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. You will be encouraged to look for opportunities to collaborate with ISIS staff working on neutron methods, and to develop wider collaborations with research groups outside of ISIS. Whilst experimental support by muon group instrument scientists is carried out across all muon spectrometers, you will be given specific responsibilities for one of the facility instruments.Within the group you will have a particular focus on developing novel RF muon spin resonance methods to implement new types of muon measurement. Applications of this are likely to be stimulated through collaborative work with external user groups and by the requirements of your own research programme. You will also be expected to take a lead in developing novel instrumentation, whether in support of your own work on RF methods or as part of collaborative work to enable other muon measurement techniques, and perhaps new computational tools to support data analysis.Further informationWhile experience of the muon technique is desirable, applications from candidates with experience of other spectroscopic techniques would be welcomed.There are occasions where you will be asked to work outside of normal hours when experiments require this, able to work in classified radiation areas at times and willingness to travel overseas. Additionally as part of your role, you will frequently use computers for experimental control and will need to use python scripting for sequencing measurements.Person SpecificationThe following criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), at Interview (I) or both (S&I):QualificationsPhD, or about to receive a PhD, in a relevant science area, or equivalent experience (S) (for Band E relevant post-doctoral work is required).Knowledge and Experience

• Scientific research experience, including publication record reflecting a relevant science programme pursued through both personal and collaborative work, likely gained and arising from PhD work (Band D) or through post-doctoral work (Band E) (S)
• A strong interest in taking forward a relevant scientific research programme. This will include the use of muon spectroscopy to solve problems in your area of research. However, we also encourage the use of complimentary techniques as part of your work (S&I).
• An interest or experience of working with radio-frequency techniques either in muon spin relaxation/rotation or in another area of magnetic resonance (for Band E a track record) (S&I)
• A strong interest in scientific instrumentation, with potential (Band D) or demonstrated ability (Band E) for developing novel instrumentation likely gained through the development of radio-frequency experiments (S&I)
• Awareness of health and safety issues relevant to the post. (I)

Personal skills and Qualities

• Ability to work as part of a team, with good interpersonal skills to communicate with other scientists and technical staff and explain concepts to those less familiar (S&I).
• Ability to take the initiative and to work effectively with limited supervision at times (S&I)

In recruiting this role, our primary focus is looking for a candidate who can demonstrate a strong interest in developing and promoting RF techniques for muons, and has clear ideas for developing a relevant scientific research programme. We will be less influenced by the career stage of the candidate..For any questions on this role please contact adrian.hillier@stfc.ac.uk.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 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 possibleAbout 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 visitYou can also visit our careers siteAbout 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 .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 .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 workforceAt 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 .Disability Confident EmployerAs 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 applyOnline 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.

Expected salary

Location

Rutherford, Scottish Borders – Harwell, Oxfordshire

Job date

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 05:34:36 GMT

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