Principal Electron Microscopy Software Scientist

Group Leader at eBIC – CryoEM software development

Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Oxfordshire

Salary £55,097 to £64,821 per annum (Discretionary range to £74,545), dependent upon skills and experience

Full time, permanent 

About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra-red to X-rays which are used for both academic and industrial research, across a wide range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences. 

The electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at Diamond is the UK National Centre for cryo-electron microscopy in the life sciences. eBIC provides scientists with state-of-the-art equipment and expertise in the field of cryo-electron microscopy (CryoEM), for single particle analysis, cryo-electron tomography and electron crystallography. Together with eBIC for Industry, our site hosts eight TEM microscopes for the life sciences (5 Titan Krios, 1 Talos Arctica, 2 Glacios), 2 Dual Beam SEM’s capable of lamella milling (Scios and Aquilos) and a Leica cryoCLEM. 

Being part of Diamond, eBIC benefits from the synchrotron’s extensive user and data management resources for CryoEM. Furthermore, eBIC and Diamond’s location at Harwell provides a unique environment to accelerate the development of the technique with partnerships in place with the Rosalind Franklin Institute (additional cutting-edge cryoEM instruments), the Research Complex at Harwell and CCP-EM).   

About the Role

We now have an exciting opportunity at group-leader level for a Principal EM Scientist to underpin and further develop eBIC as a leading centre for cryoEM. eBIC together with B24, which provides a full-field cryo X-ray transmission microscope and a bespoke 3D super resolution fluorescence cryo-imaging microscope, makeup the Biological Cryo-Imaging group at Diamond.  We work closely with the Imaging and Microscopy group in particular ePSIC, the physical sciences electron imaging centre.  Overall, we provide an extraordinarily strong imaging platform for using electrons, X-rays and visible light to image a diverse range of samples across a range of length and time scales. 

As a Principal EM Scientist at eBIC you will,

• Lead a small team of scientists to establish a competitive research programme which exploits the capabilities of eBIC and Diamond in general Take part in the management of the operation, maintenance, and development of eBIC, in particular in software development relating to cryoEM/ET data analysis. 

To facilitate establishing your research programme, funding for a post-doctoral research fellow is likely to be available, subject to a suitable case being made, as well as the opportunity for PhD studentships within Diamond’s PhD programme. You will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories for structural and cellular biology embedded at eBIC and within the Research Complex at Harwell to pursue your research. We also expect candidates to apply for external grant funding through national and international funding agencies to take full advantage of the stimulating and exciting research environment at Diamond. 

Instrumentation and software development is facilitated by dedicated support from Diamond’s computing, engineering, and scientific software groups as well as partnerships with CCP-EM and the recently established Rosalind Franklin Institute amongst others. 

About You

Suitable candidates will have expertise and a track-record in cryoEM methods. Strong background in cryoEM user service and communication and in cryoEM and cryoET software development are desirable. 

• Hold an appropriate first degree and higher (PhD, MSc) degree and demonstrate significant equivalent experience, especially in computation and software engineering. You will demonstrate the ability to lead your own research project, to manage a small team and to manage budgets and resources for beamline operations and upgrade projects. 

Applicants are required to outline their suitability for this role via the online application process and should include a summary of current and future research plans (max 3 pages). 

Benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 25 days annual leave plus 13 days of statutory and company holidays, along with flexible working hours and an excellent pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.

To Apply

Please use the online application process to apply and include a summary of current and future research plans (max 3 pages).

Diamond is a thriving international organisation, attracting a diverse range of talented individuals from around the world. Our staff currently comprises 39 nationalities and we welcome applications from everyone interested in joining us.