Our Organization
Diamond Light Source stands as the UK’s flagship synchrotron facility, producing extraordinarily bright beams of X-rays along with infrared and ultraviolet light. Our researchers harness this light to explore an extensive array of subjects, ranging from novel pharmaceuticals and methods to combat illness to groundbreaking engineering and advanced technology.
We’ve recently initiated a significant enhancement project, Diamond-II, at our facility. This advancement will amalgamate a modern structure, fresh experimental laboratories known as beamlines, and a comprehensive set of upgrades to our optics, detectors, environment for samples, delivery mechanisms for those samples, and computational power. The result will be an expanded spectrum of brilliant light with augmented energy.
The Data Acquisition Group
The team within our Data Acquisition (DAQ) Group is responsible for crafting software that connects with and directs the complex hardware required for configuring, undertaking, and overseeing experiments. It also handles the collection and formatting of scientific data. This unit works in tandem with our scientists, mechanical motion, and control engineers to refine our software solutions continually, enhancing the acquisition of scientific data and real-time monitoring and visualization. Our experiments can produce tens of terabytes of data daily.
Currently, our facility users manage data acquisition using our open-source software package, GDA. This system is pivotal for setting up and conducting experiments, capturing, visualizing, and storing data. GDA harnesses the Eclipse RCP framework and is a Java-based client-server application. It communicates with beamline machinery through EPICS for control and observation, offering high-level experimental functions. GDA clients use a graphical user interface and Python scripting to enable users to organize and run experiments directly.
The transition to Diamond-II requires that our Data Acquisition Software undergo modernization, moving towards a service-based architecture. The upcoming Acquisition Platform, known as Athena, is poised to provide enhanced functionalities for our upcoming collection of high-tech Beamlines, transitioning from the Eclipse UI to a Web UI designed with sound UX principles.
Overcoming years will see legacy software at our beamlines migrate from GDA to Athena.
The Role
We’re currently offering a key position for a senior software engineer within the DAQ group. This role entails leading the team in the development and support of DAQ software specifically for Diamond’s Soft Condensed Matter (SCM) and Crystallography science groups.
The selected candidate will technically guide and manage a dedicated team that crafts DAQ solutions for these science groups and contribute to these solutions. A crucial responsibility involves managing the progression of various tasks, including introducing new features, resolving operational support issues, and transition capabilities from GDA to Athena. Our team adheres to Agile methodologies in software development.
As a team leader, you’ll work closely with software engineers who support diverse experimental methods and DAQ functionalities. The role necessitates interacting with scientists to translate scientific requirements into software needs and collaborating with control engineers, data analysts, and information managers to implement these requirements. You’ll also prioritize your team’s workload in consultation with beamline scientists and science group leaders and support the DAQ Core Team’s efforts in modernizing the Acquisition Platform. There may also be opportunities for international collaborations within the field, sharing best practices, and supporting other facilities and synchros.
Working at Diamond is both stimulating and varied. The upgrade to our beamline software architecture allows for work with cutting-edge technologies such as containerization, service-oriented software, modern Python practices, and AI/ML, fostering cross-group collaboration and international partnerships.
About You
The ideal candidate will have a STEM degree and experience throughout the Software Development Life Cycle, using modern programming languages, and a solid grasp of excellent software design and usability principles.
It’s preferable if you have experience in software creation for hardware monitoring and control, whether it be scientific, industrial, military, or home automation sectors, understanding the common challenges and solutions. This role focuses on managing experiment setups and monitoring as well as orchestrating scientific instruments and data collection.
Experience with large, complex codebases, Python 3, Java, Spring, JMS, Java RMI, HDF5 format, Eclipse RCP platform, REST, and Kubernetes will be an advantage.
You should exhibit strong communication, interpersonal skills, and analytical ability, with a keen or experienced interest in science. Proficiency in Agile methodology is beneficial.
You should also demonstrate:
– Leadership and organizational excellence.
– Experience managing small software engineering teams.
– Technical leadership capabilities.
Benefits
Diamond offers an outstanding benefits package, promoting work/life balance, including 25 days of vacation plus 13 days of statutory and company holidays, flexible working hours, and exceptional pension schemes. Additional on-site amenities include a nursery, cafes, a restaurant, and various sports and recreational options.
Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience.
Application Process
To apply, please engage our online application system and express why you think you’re a good fit for this role.
The initial deadline to apply is March 2, 2024, but we will evaluate and interview candidates on a rolling basis until the position is filled