The salary range for this position is from £37,087 to £46,868, with a higher range of £44,666 to £60,430 for a Senior Software Engineer, dependent on the candidate’s skills and experience. The work location will be at the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire, with a primary need to be onsite, although some flexibility for home working is available. The role is full-time, but flexible working hours can be considered.
About Diamond Light Source:
Diamond Light Source is among the most sophisticated scientific facilities globally, housing the UK’s synchrotron light source, which is akin to a large-scale microscope that emits light billions of times brighter than the sun. We excel in examining the composition and structure of materials, driving advancements across a myriad of fields, from vaccines to nanotechnology. We are also working on an extensive upgrade project referred to as Diamond-II, aiming to enhance our facility through new machinery, beamlines, and improvements to various components, leading to a more brilliant and high-energy light source.
Software’s Role at Diamond:
Software is critical to the pioneering science carried out at Diamond, supporting everything from synchrotron and beamline hardware control to experiment planning and execution, data management, processing, visualization, and remote access to experimental plans and samples. Our software engineers collaborate closely with scientists to devise innovative, robust solutions to maintain Diamond’s leading position in scientific research.
About the Role:
We are excited to announce the opportunity for a Software Engineer or Senior Software Engineer to join our team as part of an international research collaboration. This role is pivotal for Diamond’s success, as you will develop and support sophisticated scientific software that empowers scientists to convert theoretical science into tangible, often life-altering discoveries. The core element of Diamond’s software infrastructure is the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), which manages experiment lifecycles, from planning to results visualization. We plan to extend our web application to accommodate new operations and automate data collections, incorporating modern JavaScript libraries and frameworks.
You will work in a dynamic, cooperative environment, collaborating with our scientists to turn scientific needs into software functionalities. This role also includes international collaborative efforts to create software benefiting other research facilities within our network.
*This position will be categorized as Grade 4 or 5, subject to the strength of your qualifications, skills, and experience.
About You:
The ideal candidate will have proven experience in the full Software Development Lifecycle and bring the following to the role:
– Experience developing technical software.
– Proficiency in JavaScript and use of web application frameworks like React or Angular.
– Familiarity with unit testing frameworks such as Jest or Vitest.
– Knowledge of agile methodologies, particularly SCRUM.
– (For the Senior role) Experience supervising teams and providing mentorship and code reviews.
– The ability to manage multiple projects, liaise with various IT teams, and contribute to open-source software.
– A degree in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, or comparable experience.
– Strong communication skills with the ability to translate scientific requirements into clear software specifications.
– A passion for supporting scientific users, coupled with analytical prowess and robust communication abilities.
Additional useful expertise includes familiarity with GitHub / GitLab, a commitment to user experience (UX), and quality.
Benefits:
Diamond offers a comprehensive benefits package that aids in maintaining a positive work/life balance, including 26 days of annual leave, festive season closure, public holidays, volunteer days, and flexible hours. Employees benefit from a competitive pension scheme and have access to on-site amenities like a nursery, cafes, a restaurant, and leisure facilities. Where appropriate, a relocation allowance might be also provided.
To Apply:
Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications online, detailing why they are an ideal fit for this position.
The application deadline is 17th March 2024. Early applications are recommended since interviews may be conducted ahead of the closing date