At a Glance
- Tasks: Analyse X-ray diffraction data and develop new statistical methods for macromolecular crystallography.
- Company: Join the UK's leading synchrotron science facility, Diamond Light Source.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days leave, flexible hours, and a great pension scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with excellent career growth and onsite amenities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in structural biology with cutting-edge research and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Strong statistical analysis skills and Python software experience required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Based onsite at Diamond Light Source, Oxfordshire, this is a 2 year fixed term contract.
About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility. By accelerating electrons to near light-speed, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infra red to X rays which are used for academic and industry research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental sciences.
About the Role
As part of a BBSRC funded consortium project within the Collaborative Computational Project 4 (CCP4), we are looking to recruit a data analysis scientist at the Post-Doctoral Research Associate level with knowledge of statistical analysis methods. The successful candidate will build on recent exciting developments in the field of time resolved serial crystallography at Diamond and other facilities. You will develop new approaches to analyse X ray diffraction data from macromolecular crystallography (MX) experiments aiming to robustly identify when changes in the data reliably indicate relevant changes in macromolecular structure. You will be embedded within a dynamic and interdisciplinary data analysis team as well as a diverse and research active MX scientist team. Data required for your work will be obtained by colleagues within the Diamond with whom you will also test and improve the methods that you develop. More broadly, you will be able to collaborate with the broader CCP4 team who are located on the Harwell campus together with Diamond.
About You
The successful candidate will have strong knowledge and experience of statistical analysis and its application to experimental data. You will have demonstrable software experience particularly in Python. A background in macromolecular crystallography is not required though would be advantageous and training necessary in the scientific field will be provided. This post represents an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic scientist to play a key role in developing methodologies to maximise the output of the rapidly developing field of time resolved structural biology.
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 with a 2.3% accrual rate. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable. Our campus based location, with open green space, offers sports pitches, an outdoor gym, as well as a network of cycle, running and walking routes. Staff also have access to a range of onsite amenities including cafes, restaurants, a daycare nursery and free on site parking. As standard, this role requires a fully onsite working arrangement.
PDRA in Statistical Analysis of Serial Diffraction Data employer: Diamond Light Source
At Diamond Light Source, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work culture in the heart of Harwell, Oxfordshire. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through continuous professional development opportunities and involvement in groundbreaking projects like the Diamond-II upgrade, which not only enhances your skills but also contributes to significant scientific advancements. Join us to be part of a team that values quality, reliability, and stability while working in a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to pushing the boundaries of science.
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We think this is how you could land PDRA in Statistical Analysis of Serial Diffraction Data
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We think you need these skills to ace PDRA in Statistical Analysis of Serial Diffraction Data
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Diamond Light Source, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Diamond Light Source. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Diamond Light Source
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Diamond Light Source!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
