Diamond Light Source
Postdoctoral research associate - scientific software development
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Based onsite at Harwell, Oxfordshire
3 year fixed term contract
About Us
Diamond Light Source is the UK’s national synchrotron, serving scientists and researchers from around the world. It is a not-for-profit joint venture, providing academic and industry researchers access to facilities that enable world-changing science.
The machine generates extremely bright light that is directed into laboratories known as beamlines. Scientists use the light to find solutions to humanity’s most critical challenges, from health, food security and biotechnology to energy, climate change and advanced materials.
Diamond is in the process of upgrading to a fourth-generation synchrotron, generating a brighter and more coherent light. This will provide enhanced imaging and analysis capabilities, helping the UK to remain at the forefront of scientific discovery.
About The Role
We now have a new opportunity for two postdoctoral researchers to develop scientific data analysis software at Diamond. You will be joining the DIALS team to develop diffraction processing algorithms and software in Python/C++ for emerging electron diffraction and serial crystallography experiments. DIALS is one of the world's leading open-source diffraction data analysis packages, used at synchrotrons, universities and companies internationally. The DIALS team collaborates closely with researchers across Diamond, scientists in the CCP4 group from Scientific Computing at STFC, and internationally to develop next-generation diffraction analysis methods.
You will conduct original research into the analysis of diffraction data from emerging X-ray and electron diffraction experiments, developing new physical models and computational methods that improve how structural information can be extracted from experimental measurements. Research challenges include modelling increasingly complex diffraction experiments, developing robust methods for analysing large and heterogeneous datasets from serial crystallography and electron diffraction, and designing performant algorithms capable of exploiting modern computing architectures, including GPUs.
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The successful candidates will be expected to publish research outcomes in peer-reviewed journals while contributing production-quality software to the DIALS project. You will work closely with Diamond's world-leading beamlines and collaborate with industrial partners to develop new diffraction analysis capabilities that are rapidly deployed for scientific users. As DIALS is used to automatically process experimental data collected at Diamond and other facilities worldwide, your work will have immediate impact for Diamond’s users and the wider diffraction community.
About You
Previous crystallography experience is advantageous but not essential.
You will hold (or be close to completing) a PhD in a relevant scientific discipline and have a strong interest in developing new computational methods to solve challenging scientific problems. You should be comfortable working independently to define and pursue research directions, while also collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Candidates should have experience writing and maintaining research software as part of their scientific work, with programming experience in Python, C++ or another high-level language, and an understanding of good software development practices. Experience developing algorithms and analysing scientific data is essential.
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Knowledge of X-ray or electron diffraction, crystallography, imaging, or related experimental techniques would be advantageous, but we also welcome applications from candidates with broader backgrounds in computational science, physics, mathematics or related disciplines who are keen to apply their skills to diffraction data analysis.
You should be motivated to publish high-quality research, communicate results to a range of audiences, and contribute to an international open-source software project used by scientists around the world.
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. A relocation allowance may also be available where applicable.
Our campus-based location, with open green space, offers sports pitches, an outdoor gym, as well as a network of cycle, running and walking routes. Staff also have access to a range of onsite amenities including cafes, restaurants, a daycare nursery and free on-site parking.
To Apply
Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you believe you are suitable for this role.
The closing date for applications is 6th September 2026, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.
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