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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop innovative software for cutting-edge scientific experiments and support data acquisition.
- Company: Join a leading science facility at the forefront of research and technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, flexible hours, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in scientific research while working with advanced technologies.
- Qualifications: STEM degree, software development experience, and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with opportunities for international collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 84000 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
Software helps to enable the worldâleading science performed at Diamond. Our software systems facilitate operations at all levels, including the lowâlevel control of synchrotron and beamline hardware, the planning, execution and monitoring of experiments, data archiving and retrieval, data processing and visualisation, the application for beamtime, and capture of remote experiment plans and samples. Our software engineers work alongside our scientists to develop innovative and robust solutions to keep Diamond at the forefront of scientific research.
About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a software engineer within the DAQ group team that supports and develops software for Diamond's Soft Condensed Matter (SCM) and Crystallography (X) science groups on a 4âyear fixedâterm basis. The work is primarily focused on developing new Athena software for the Soft Condensed Matter and Crystallography beamlines.
Athena is the modernised experiment control/orchestration software platform for DiamondâII. In development with upâtoâdate technologies and software development practices, it aims to be easier to set up, support, extend and develop than GDA, which it is intended to replace. Central to the Athena architecture is Bluesky and OphydâAsync, a set of Python libraries for experiment control and collection of data. It is currently used at several facilities around the world.
You will be responsible for developing and transitioning the experimental capabilities of GDA to Athena, whilst offering new experimental capabilities to the beamlines. During user experiments you will provide ongoing support and extension of the DAQ capabilities. You will also be required to work with your teammates to provide support to the existing SCM+X beamlines and assist with their migration from GDA to Athena.
As a software engineer in the DAQ Group you will work alongside other software engineers and scientists supporting a range of experimental techniques and developing DAQ capabilities in an open and collaborative environment. You will be required to interact with scientists and translate their specifications for scientific capabilities into software requirements.
You will liaise with controls, data analysis and information management engineers to put these requirements into action. You will collaborate with the beamline scientists and DAQ Core team members to deliver SCM and Crystallography DAQ features using the new Athena services and provide insight to the Core team to help them to refine Athena's generic capabilities. You will also potentially participate in international collaborations within this domain, sharing best practice and supporting other facilities and synchrotrons within the collaboration.
Applicants will be considered at either Data Acquisition Software Engineer or Senior Data Acquisition Software Engineer level, depending on the strength of your skills, experience and qualifications.
About the Data Acquisition Group
The Data Acquisition (DAQ) group develops software to interface with and control the hardware which allows experiments to be performed and monitored as well as guiding the end user to tools for data reduction and analysis. The group works closely with scientists, controls, data analysis and information management engineers to continuously develop and improve software solutions for scientific data acquisition and onâtheâfly monitoring and data analysis.
The current DAQ software platform is a clientâserver application called GDA (Generic Data Acquisition) which is written in Java and uses the Eclipse RCP framework. To facilitate the advanced scientific capabilities that are expected from DiamondâII (the planned Synchrotron upgrade), the DAQ software is being modernised and will result in a serviceâbased architecture. The new Acquisition Platform, Athena, will be configured to deliver advanced stateâofâtheâart experimental capabilities for a collection of beamlines. Over the next few years existing beamline software will be migrated from GDA to Athena.
About You
Suitable candidates will hold an appropriate first degree in a STEM subject, preferably with a relevant MSc or PhD. You will demonstrate experience in the Software Development Lifecycle, using a modern highâlevel language, and with an understanding of good software design principles and design for usability.
Knowledge and experience of developing software to control and monitor scientific or industrial equipment or IoT is preferable. Knowledge and experience of synchrotron or neutron central facility experiments is preferable.
Experience of working with large and complex code bases would be a distinct advantage, as would experience of Python, the HDF5 file format, Typescript, UI development, Java, the Eclipse RCP platform, REST and Kubernetes and asynchronous computing.
You should display good communication, interpersonal and analytical skills, with a personal interest or experience in science.
Benefits
Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support staff in achieving a positive work/life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas closure, public holidays, 2 annual volunteering days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit 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.
As standard this role offers a hybrid working arrangement with a minimum of 3 days working onsite per week.
To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role. When applying please state whether you wish to be considered at Data Acquisition Software Engineer or Senior Data Acquisition Software Engineer level.
As a visa sponsorship license holder, we are likely to be able to sponsor nonâUK nationals that require visa sponsorship at Senior Data Acquisition Software Engineer level. However, this position doesn't meet the requirements for visa sponsorship at Data Acquisition Software Engineer level, except potentially for those people who meet the criteria of a 'new entrant'. For more information please visit Skilled Worker visa: Overview â GOV.UK.
The closing date for applications is 8th February 2026, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.
Senior/Data Acquisition Software Engineer for D-II (SCM and Crystall in London employer: Diamond Light Source
Contact Detail:
Diamond Light Source Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Senior/Data Acquisition Software Engineer for D-II (SCM and Crystall in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at Diamond or similar organisations on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral!
â¨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in action! If youâve got a GitHub or portfolio, make sure itâs up to date with projects that highlight your experience in software development, especially with Python and data acquisition.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of the DAQ systems and the Athena platform. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to the migration from GDA to Athena.
â¨Tip Number 4
Donât forget to apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows youâre serious about joining the team!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior/Data Acquisition Software Engineer for D-II (SCM and Crystall in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Show Your Passion for Science: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for science shine through! We want to see how your background and interests align with the innovative work we do at Diamond. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your passion for scientific research.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the specific role you're applying for. Highlight your experience with software development, especially in relation to data acquisition and control systems. We love seeing candidates who can connect their skills directly to what we do!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your skills and experiences, and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to see why youâre a great fit!
Apply Through Our Website: Donât forget to submit your application through our website! Itâs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised as we review applications.
How to prepare for a job interview at Diamond Light Source
â¨Know Your Tech Stack
Make sure youâre familiar with the technologies mentioned in the job description, especially Python, HDF5, and Java. Brush up on your knowledge of the software development lifecycle and be ready to discuss how you've applied these technologies in past projects.
â¨Understand the Science
Since this role involves working closely with scientists, itâs crucial to have a basic understanding of Soft Condensed Matter and Crystallography. Do some research on recent advancements in these fields and think about how your software solutions can enhance their experiments.
â¨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Expect questions about teamwork and collaboration, as you'll be working with various engineers and scientists. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated on complex projects, particularly in a scientific or technical environment.
â¨Show Your Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to tackle hypothetical scenarios or coding challenges during the interview. Practice explaining your thought process clearly and logically, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to handle real-world problems in software development.
