Jobs page

Jobs in Physical Crystallography

Job Opportunities:

Beamline Scientist - (I07) Surface and Interface High Resolution Diffraction, Diamond Light Source

Application deadline: 31st May 2026

The Diamond light source is seeking to appoint a beamline scientist with a permanent contract to a motivated scientist with good experimental skills and the ability to conduct high quality original research. A candidate with knowledge of surface x-ray diffraction/scattering techniques and a background in surface/interface science (this could be UHV, electrochemistry, catalysis, material science, soft matter) would be ideal. The selected candidate will have the opportunity of taking advantage of the unique capabilities of the I07 beamline to develop their own research activity and participate to the in-house research programme - mostly focused on the characterization surfaces/interfaces in-situ and in operando conditions using x-ray diffraction/scattering techniques, with the possibility of combining spectroscopic characterization (XAS, HAXPES).

For more information, check out the following link: https://vacancies.diamond.ac.uk/vacancy/beamline-scientist-i07-surface-and-interface-high-resolution-diffraction-609196.html

PhD Studentships:

Developing novel tools for the analysis of local order using total scattering data

University of Sheffield

Supervisors: Dr Lewis Owen (University of Sheffield), Prof Katerina Christofidou (University of Sheffield), Dr Gabriel Perez (ISIS Neutron and Muon Source), Dr Alexander Belozerov (STFC Scientific Computing)

Rolling deadline with next assessment: 15th May 2026

Total scattering is an advanced X-ray and Neutron scattering technique that provides atomic scale information about the structure of a material. Many important materials systems are known to have properties that are strongly affected by this local structure (effects on the atomic scale) including materials for atomic energy, battery components and structural applications. For example, short-range order (the preference of atoms to sit next to or avoid each other) can affect the radiation damage tolerance, electrical resistivity or strengthening properties of a material.

This project will look to create novel tools and a coherent workflow that combine the diverse pieces of software used for the analysis of local order using total scattering. The project will involve a mixture of coding, data curation, practical experiments at UK national X-ray and Neutron facilities, and method development. This project would suit someone with a background in Material Science, Chemistry, Physics or Computer Science. The student will be part of the MOSAIC group at the University of Sheffield. The project will involve close work with colleagues at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, and the STFC Scientific Computing team. The student will also be part of the Royce Institute Materials 4.0 CDT and be part of a national cohort working to realise the potential of the digital and data revolutions in materials science. CDT students undertake a doctorate with an in-depth technical and professional skills training across a structured 4-year programme.

If you have informal enquiries please contact Dr Lewis Owen (lewis.owen@sheffield.ac.uk)

For further information see: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/developing-novel-tools-for-the-analysis-of-local-order-using-total-scattering-data-tscat/?p193479

If you would like to put an advert here please email Struan Simpson