About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron science facility, advancing cutting-edge research across academia and industry. By accelerating electrons to near-light speed, Diamond creates brilliant beams of light ranging from infra-red to X-rays. These beams are harnessed for research and development across diverse scientific disciplines, including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth sciences, and environmental studies.
Software plays a fundamental role in enabling the world-class science conducted at Diamond. Our systems support operations at every level, from controlling synchrotron and beamline hardware, to planning, conducting, and monitoring experiments. Additionally, software enables tasks like data archiving and retrieval, processing and visualization, applying for beamtime, and managing remote experiment plans and samples. Our software engineers collaborate closely with scientists to design and implement innovative, reliable solutions that maintain Diamond as a leader in scientific research.
About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Software Scientist to lead advancements in the development and support of Diamond’s data analysis software, ensuring the success of experiments across our beamlines and instruments. The role will involve driving key projects to deliver new analytical capabilities for Diamond-II, as well as maintaining data analysis continuity for our operational beamlines. The postholder will play a pivotal role in shaping Diamond’s data analysis strategy, leading interdisciplinary projects that integrate experiment management, real-time analysis, and AI/ML-driven optimization.
As a Senior Software Scientist, the responsibilities will include:
- Collaborating with beamline scientists and engineers to develop automation, mail-in, and remote-operation workflows, thereby enhancing throughput and accessibility for both industrial and academic users.
- Designing, maintaining, and expanding data reduction and analysis pipelines for SAXS, WAXS, IR imaging, and CD spectroscopy, ensuring seamless integration with Diamond’s information management systems and computational infrastructure.
- Leading the implementation of AI/ML-driven workflows for applications such as beam and optics optimization, instrument digital twins, signal/image denoising, and hyperspectral analysis.
- Working with external partners like the Ada Lovelace Centre (ALC) and STFC AI for Science to incorporate computational models into operational platforms such as Bluesky, MLExchange, or Shapespyer for SCM experiments.
- Supporting the setup and execution of new SCM techniques like Diffracted X-ray Tracking and X-ray Footprinting Mass Spectrometry, which will involve developing new data structures, simulation tools, and multimodal experiment pipelines.
- Driving the creation of a unified, cross-beamline analysis framework to facilitate interoperable data processing across SCM and related Life Science instruments, aligning with Diamond-II’s goals for standardized and scalable data analysis.
- Acting as the primary liaison between the Data Analysis Group and SCM beamlines, ensuring emerging software solutions meet user needs and evolving experimental requirements.
This role suits candidates passionate about merging experimental science with computational innovation, who thrive on combining hands-on development with strategic vision and collaborative leadership.
About You
To be successful in this role, applicants should hold a First degree in engineering, computing, or science (or equivalent experience), with preference given to candidates with a PhD. Applicants should have experience and expertise in the following areas:
- Information systems, data management, and data models for analysis and processing.
- Software development frameworks and applications (e.g., Eclipse).
- Programming languages, like Python, Java, C, C , and tools for processing and visualizing large datasets.
- Developing applications in JavaScript and/or PHP.
- Software testing systems to deliver robust and reliable services.
Prior experience in the following software environments is advantageous:
- Synchrotron data reduction frameworks.
- SASView or ATSAS for model fitting.
- Quasar or Cytospec for hyperspectral and infrared analysis.
- CDApps for circular dichroism spectroscopy.
- Python-based workflows or Bluesky/Tiled workflows for experiment management and automation.
Knowledge of community standards for data handling and visualization within soft-matter or spectroscopy research is desirable.
Benefits
Diamond offers a comprehensive benefits package that supports a healthy work/life balance. Benefits include:
- 26 days annual leave, plus public holidays, Christmas closure, and two volunteering days per year.
- Flexible working hours.
- An excellent defined benefit pension scheme.
- Access to on-site amenities including a nursery, cafes, restaurants, and sports/leisure facilities.
Relocation allowances may be available where applicable.
This position also qualifies for an annual non-pensionable allowance of £3,000. The role features a hybrid working arrangement, requiring a minimum of three days on-site per week.
To Apply
Please submit your application online, detailing why you are the ideal candidate for this role.
Applications close on 30th November 2025, though early applications are encouraged as interviews may be conducted prior to this date