Mechanical Technician / Senior Technician

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

We now have an opportunity for a Beamline Technician or Senior Beamline Technician to work as part of the Magnetic Materials Group on beamline I16. The primary purpose of this role is to maintain, develop, and support the operational and scientific research activities of beamline I16 which performs experiments to study novel quantum and energy materials.

You will support the Beamline in the following areas:

• Mechanical and electrical installation of bespoke, prototype, high-tech equipment including:
  
  
• Ultra-High Vacuum optical components such as monochromators, mirrors, gratings
  
  
• Vacuum equipment including pumps, gauges, controllers etc.
  
  
• Detectors including vacuum detectors
  
  
• Diffractometer/goniometer and sample environment equipment
  
  
• Work on electro-mechanical aspects of the scientific instrumentation including racks and field equipment and installation of motors and electrical sensors for items such as vacuum, pneumatics, water flow and temperature monitoring.
  
  
• Maintaining and upgrading existing beamline equipment.
  
  For the Senior Beamline technician, you will also support in the following areas:
  
  
• Installation, commissioning, and maintenance of specialist beamline equipment including:
  
  
• Detectors and related electrical aspects.
  
  
• Diffractometer/ goniometer/sample stages (sample orientation and motion equipment).
  
  
• Experimental chambers that provide high/ low temperature and or high/low pressure, gas and liquid flow, or high magnetic field environments for sample testing.
  
  
• Robotic/ automated/remote controlled sample handling equipment.
  
  
• Installation of motors and electrical sensors for items such as pressure/vacuum, pneumatics, water flow and temperature monitoring.
  
  
• Supervision of junior internal or external staff / contractors.
  
  
• Supervision and coordination of work on different beamlines within the group.
  
  
• Operation of advanced instrumentation or advanced sample handling.
  
  
• Assisting users with equipment in preparing and setting up experiments including using peripheral laboratory equipment/workshop.
  
  Applicants will be considered at either Beamline Technician or Senior Beamline Technician level, depending on the strength of your skills, experience and qualifications.
  
  About You
  
  You will have a ONC or GNVQ level 2 or equivalent work experience, as well as experience and ability in the following areas:
  
  
• Understanding and interpreting mechanical drawings.
  
  
• Carrying out a variety of light mechanical and electrical assembly tasks. This can involve building new equipment/developments for subsystems of the scientific equipment such as cryogenic sample environments under high vacuum.
  
  
• Supervising and coordinating the installation and commissioning of specialist beamline equipment.
  
  
• To get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion.
  
  To be considered for the Senior position, you will also demonstrate the following:
  
  
• Experience with ultra-high vacuum and high-vacuum systems.
  
  
• Proven experience in at least one of the following areas: cryogenics, precision mechanics, motion systems, scientific instrumentation.
  
  
• Familiarity with using quality assurance procedures, work planning and safe systems of work.
  
  
• Experience of Technical Support in a synchrotron or equivalent facility.
  
  
• Ability to machine small components for UHV.
  
  The beamline uses area detectors, cryogenic sample environments, magnetic and electric fields as well as high-precision strain application apparatus. An understanding of a research environment as well as installing scientific equipment would be an advantage.
  
  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. Staff also have access to a range of amenities on site including a nursery, cafes, a restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
  
  To Apply
  
  Please use the online application process to apply and tell us which position you are applying for and why you believe you are suitable for this role.
  
  As a visa license holder, we are likely to be able to sponsor non-UK nationals that require visa sponsorship at Senior Beamline Technician level. However, this position doesn't meet the requirements for visa sponsorship for the Beamline Technician, except potentially for those people that are already sponsored in the UK or meet the criteria of a ‘new entrant’. For more information please visit - Skilled Worker visa: Overview
  
  The closing date for applications is 13th April 2025