Post Doctoral Research Associate - x-ray spectroscopy on clusters

at  Diamond Light Source

POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE - X-RAY SPECTROSCOPY

£38,756 to £42,588
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire – primarily based onsite / some home working available
Full time / Flexible hours considered.
3 Years
Reference: 11426

ABOUT US

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron; a huge scientific facility designed to produce very intense beams of X-rays, infrared and ultraviolet light. Our scientists use the light to study a vast range of subject matter, from new medicines and treatments for disease to innovative engineering and cutting-edge technology.

We now have an opportunity for a Post Doctoral Research Associate to join B07. VerSoX (B07) is a beamline that is largely dedicated to x-ray spectroscopy under environments ranging from ultra-high vacuum to ambient pressure. The beamline has been operational since summer 2017 and is used for studies of heterogeneous catalysts and electrochemical interfaces under mild reaction conditions and related research, such as model systems in under well-defined conditions. In order to build up experience and expertise in this field, the beamline team also undertakes related experiments at other synchrotron facilities in Europe and USA.
The main scientific objective of this post is a better understanding of the relationship between structure/composition and activity/selectivity of well-defined alloy and oxide nanoparticles in vacuum and in gas-phase environments. The successful candidate will work with a recently acquired state-of-the-art size-selected cluster source and other instrumentation available at Diamond (e.g. X-ray spectroscopy, TEM). They will refine the research programme within this area, coordinate beamtime proposals and carry out experiments at beamlines and in the laboratory. In addition, limited support for beamline users is expected
The successful candidate will work with a recently acquired state-of-the-art size-selected cluster source and define a research programme within this area, coordinate beamtime proposals and carry out experiments at beamlines and in the laboratory. In addition, limited support for beamline users is expected.

You will be responsible for the following:

• Operate and further develop the beamline’s size-selected cluster programme.
• Support users and in-house researchers using the cluster source.
• Periodically review the relevant literature.
• Synthesise nano-catalysts and study size effects in heterogeneous catalysis (tbc with line manager).
• Maintain contact with national and international project partners.