At a Glance
- Tasks: Develop automated tools for analysing diffraction data and collaborate with top researchers.
- Company: Join Diamond Light Source, the UK's leading synchrotron science facility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, travel opportunities, and a chance to publish your research.
- Other info: Collaborate with international teams and enjoy excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in structural biology and advance your career in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in a relevant field, programming skills, and a passion for scientific research.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility. Located at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, we enable world-leading research across a wide range of scientific disciplines and industrial applications.
We are looking for a highly motivated researcher to develop tools for automated experiment analysis and phasing of diffraction data sets using strategies intimately coupled with, and providing feedback to, the data collection protocols used. The candidate will work closely with other developers at Diamond. This work will be carried out in collaboration with the MX team at the Soleil synchrotron and as such will involve travel to Soleil 3-4 times a year for meetings and experiments. The automatic determination of experimental phases is an essential step towards providing users with structural information and provides an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic crystallographer with an interest in methods development.
Duties
- Working closely with project leader, software teams and beamline staff to develop new approaches to MX experimental phasing analysis;
- Conduct scientific research and development into crystallographic methods under the guidance of the project leader;
- Publish and present research at conferences both in UK and abroad;
- Support users by providing advice and guidance on the best approach to experiments, data analysis and research techniques.
Qualifications and Experience:
Essential
- Appropriate degree or equivalent qualification or experience;
- Good interpersonal, communication, organizational and presentational skills;
- Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion;
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team;
- Ability to work flexibly with occasional weekend and out-of hours;
- Self motivation;
- Be available to travel occasionally within the UK and abroad, including overnight absences;
- Good working knowledge of scientific programming;
- Experience in macromolecular crystallography data collection and analysis;
- Experience in programming in a high level language (e.g. Python).
Desirable
- Experience of contributing in a major way to a successful scientific software project;
- Experience in providing expert support to end-users;
- Experience in advanced programming techniques.
Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Phasing Analysis in Harwell employer: Instruct-ERIC
At Diamond Light Source, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and innovative work environment at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through opportunities for professional development, including travel for international collaborations and participation in leading scientific conferences. Join us to be part of a pioneering team that not only advances structural biology but also fosters a culture of support and creativity.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Phasing Analysis in Harwell
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the structural biology field, attend relevant conferences, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We can’t stress enough how personal connections can open doors to opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and being ready to discuss your past research experiences. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or colleagues to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for crystallography and methods development during interviews. We want to see your enthusiasm shine through, so share your ideas on how you can contribute to the team at Diamond Light Source!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate in Experimental Phasing Analysis in Harwell
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Postdoctoral Research Associate. Highlight your experience in macromolecular crystallography and any relevant programming skills, especially in Python. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about experimental phasing analysis and how you can contribute to our team at Diamond Light Source. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your enthusiasm!
Showcase Your Research Experience:Don’t forget to include details about your previous research projects, especially those involving crystallographic methods. We’re keen to see how your past work can inform your future contributions to our exciting projects.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us that you’re serious about joining our team at Diamond Light Source!
How to prepare for a job interview at Instruct-ERIC
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of macromolecular crystallography and experimental phasing analysis. Familiarise yourself with the latest research and tools in the field, as well as the specific projects at Diamond Light Source. This will show your genuine interest and help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Team Spirit
Since this role involves working closely with multi-disciplinary teams, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences collaborating with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to team projects, especially in a research setting, and highlight your communication skills. This will demonstrate that you're not just a great researcher but also a fantastic team player.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect some technical questions related to scientific programming and data analysis. Brush up on your Python skills and be ready to discuss any relevant software projects you've worked on. If possible, prepare to explain your thought process when tackling complex problems, as this will showcase your analytical abilities.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask thoughtful questions about the role, the team, and ongoing projects at Diamond. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the position is the right fit for you. Consider asking about the collaboration with the Soleil synchrotron or the types of challenges the team is currently facing.
