PDRA - LEAPS-TECH: Standardised Electrochemical Environments

3-Year Fixed Term Contract. As standard this role requires a fully onsite working arrangement About Us

Diamond Light Source is the UK's national synchrotron science facility. Our world-leading scientific infrastructure enables researchers from academia and industry to investigate some of the most important challenges facing society today, from sustainable energy technologies to advanced materials and healthcare.

Diamond is a key partner in the newly funded European projectLEAPS-TECH, a Horizon Europe initiative bringing together Europe's leading synchrotron and free-electron laser facilities to deliver the next generation of technologies and services for photon science. Diamond co-leads two major work packages within the programme, creating an exciting opportunity for a talented researcher to contribute to collaborative research with partners across Europe.

About the Role

We now have an opportunity for an enthusiastic and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate for a 3-year fixed term contract, to support Diamond's activities within:

• WP5 SEEQuality: Developing standardised and quality-assured electrochemical cells and experimental procedures for synchrotron-based electrochemical studies.
• WP7 AUTOSPEC: Creating a standardised, high-throughput X-ray spectroscopy service for industrial users through interoperable sample environments, common data workflows, and coordinated user engagement across European light sources.

Working closely with scientists, engineers and industrial partners across the LEAPS consortium, you will play a central role in developing and validating new approaches that will enable more reproducible experiments and accelerate industrial access to synchrotron techniques.

Key Responsibilities will include:

• Developing, testing and validating electrochemical demonstrator cells and associated experimental protocols.
• Supporting the creation of standardised sample environments suitable for deployment across multiple synchrotron facilities.
• Contributing to the design and implementation of a European high-throughput X-ray spectroscopy service.
• Analysing experimental results and contribute to technical documentation, reports and project deliverables.
• Presenting results at consortium meetings, workshops and international conferences.
• Contributing to scientific publications and dissemination activities.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape emerging European standards for electrochemical experimentation and industrial spectroscopy services. You will work with world-leading facilities and industry partners, develop an extensive international network, and contribute to technologies that will be adopted across the European photon science community. You will join a vibrant scientific environment at Diamond Light Source and become part of a major strategic European initiative with significant long-term scientific and industrial impact.

About You

You will hold a PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Electrochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Physics or a related discipline.

You will have:

• Strong experimental background in electrochemistry and/or materials characterisation.
• Experience designing, developing or operating electrochemical systems.
• Proven expertise in X-ray spectroscopy, XAS, XRF or related techniques.
• Demonstrated ability in experimental data collection and data analysis.
• Ability and initiative to get to the heart of the problem and take it effectively through to completion
• Ability to work effectively in an international and multidisciplinary environment.

Along with desirable experience in the following areas:

• Synchrotron or large-scale facility experience.
• Operando or in situ electrochemical measurements.
• Data workflow development, automation or scientific software tools.
• Experience working with industrial partners or collaborative research programmes

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 with a 2.3% accrual rate. 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.