Instrument Scientist - TOSCA-VESPA

TOSCA-VESPA Instrument Scientist

Science and Technology Facilities Council 

Salary: Band D £41,344 - £45,479- Band E £51,242 - £56,366 per annum (dependent on skills and experience).

Hours: Full time 

Contract Type: Fixed Term (48 months) 

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire 

Benefits: We offer a whole host of benefits including 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days), flexible working hours, an excellent defined average salary pension scheme and continuous learning and development opportunities. 

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. 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!

About us

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is currently under construction in Lund (Sweden). Both the UK (via the Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC)) and Italy (via the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR)) are partners in this pan-European project. As part of their contribution to the ESS, the CNR are committed to providing the indirect geometry spectrometer, VESPA, to the ESS instrument suite.

ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and CNR are collaborating on the design of the instrument and to progress it further we are looking to recruit an instrument scientist to work on the design of the VESPA spectrometer. This is a fixed-term four year position and you will be part of the ISIS Molecular Spectroscopy Group.

The role has two major components: the first is working with the VESPA lead scientist on the design of VESPA using ray-tracing simulations and on related areas such as prototyping components. The second is working on the TOSCA spectrometer at ISIS, the instrument that inspired VESPA. This includes supporting and collaborating with users to run inelastic neutron scattering experiments as well as conducting your own research program on instruments at ISIS and other neutron sources. You will work with international teams and will be involved with experiments covering a wide range of scientific research disciplines.

About you

We are looking for someone with relevant research experience and an interest in instrument design. In particular, experience of ray-tracing simulations (e.g. McStas, VITESS) and capability in using inelastic neutron scattering are required. You will work well in a collaborative environment and will have broad interests in order to work effectively with our users. You will have many ideas for your own research and will be able to communicate this with clarity and enthusiasm.

Person Specification

• Educated to PhD level in physics, chemistry, materials science, or similar discipline (or imminent award of a PhD);
• Experience of design in scientific instrumentation or sample environment;
• Demonstrable potential (Band D) or proven ability (Band E) to pursue an independent research program;
• Computational skills, including a working knowledge of coding languages (e.g. C++, Python, Matlab);
• Good interpersonal and communication/written skills.

How to apply:

For full details on the role, please visit our careers site. Please submit an application including your CV and a Cover Letter that clearly showcases how your skills and experience align to the requirements of the role. 

Closing Date: 14th January 2025.