Spectroscopy Group Instrument Scientist

STFC - Science and Technology Facilities Council

Harwell, United Kingdom

Salary: Band D (S1) £42,840 - £47,124 to Band E (S1) £53,818 - £59,199 per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full-Time or Part-Time (minimum 30 hours per week) (We understand the importance of work-life balance, and are happy to discuss the possibility of flexible working with applicants)
Contract Type: Fixed-Term (12 months)
Location: STFC, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

RAL Space, the space science and technology department of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), has a Spectroscopy Group Instrument Scientist post available.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to join an agile and motivated team of scientists working on a diverse portfolio of research projects, and to contribute to the delivery of state-of-the-art research projects for the UK Research Councils, UK Space Agency, European Space Agency, and other institutions and customers.

List of Duties/Work Programme/Responsibilities

The successful candidate must fit within an R&D group working on all aspects of laser spectroscopy sensing and field deployment of spectroscopic instruments for chemical analysis. The tasks associated to the position include: conceptual and theoretical studies of chemical sensing systems, instrument concept development, design and development of related photonic and opto-electronic technologies, laboratory and field instrumentation, data processing and physical modelling, instrument performance validation.

The successful candidate must have demonstrated experience with some of the chemical sensing techniques developed within the group: laser heterodyne spectroscopy, hyperspectral lidar, laser absorption and dispersion spectroscopy, photo-acoustic spectroscopy, cavity enhanced spectroscopy, and photonics-based sensing systems.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering R&D project results to strict deadlines and within budget. Experimental tasks may include design and implementation of complex laser sensing systems based on high resolution spectroscopy, carrying out systematic experimental campaigns, developing code for physical modelling, data analysis or instrument control, arranging experiments for analysis and characterization of instrumental performance and physical processes.

The successful candidate will also be expected to maintain a tidy and well-organized working environment for safe operation and efficient resource sharing, and to write or contribute to reports and, where applicable, peer-reviewed scientific papers and submissions to international conferences.

Contacts and Communication

The successful candidate will be directly managed by a senior member of the group. The post-holders will have contact with all members of the Spectroscopy Group and will be required to liaise with other staff in RAL Space and, potentially, other departments in STFC. They will also have to communicate with external collaborators, as required by projects, and will represent the team and RAL Space at external meetings and conferences.

Person Specification

Experience in molecular spectroscopy, atmospheric spectroscopy applied to chemical sensing;
Experience in tuneable laser instrumentation and spectrometers;
Experience in tuneable laser spectrometer data analysis;
A PhD or EngD (or MSc with direct relevant experience) in the field of Experimental/Applied Physics relevant to infrared laser sensing;
Good oral and written communication skills (quality of cover letter, interview presentation and performance);
Conscious of health and safety requirements for laboratory work;
Must be physically able to work safely in a laboratory environment and at a field site.

Any other Relevant Information

Occasional travel in the UK and overseas to attend meetings will be required. National or international travel for durations of a few weeks may be occasionally necessary for instrument deployment during field campaigns.

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