Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £44,982 (Band D) or £56,509 (Band E) per annum (dependent on skills and experience)
Hours: Full time
Contract Type: Fixed Term (until the end of March 2027)
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire
About us
STFC’s Central Laser Facility (CLF) provides advanced laser research facilities for UK and international scientists. The CLF has been awarded £17M funding for a transformation of their ultrafast laser spectroscopy facilities, Artemis and Ultra, (the HiLUX project, HiLUX Project). This four-year project will extend the range of techniques for ultrafast laser spectroscopy, and encompasses upgrades to laboratories, new laser systems, new detectors and sample-handling technologies, control systems and data handling.
The HiLUX project will provide higher quality spectroscopic data at higher data rates, and we aim to transform the methods available to our users for both data collection and data analysis. We are seeking to recruit a scientific software engineer to develop the software to maximise scientific exploitation of our data.
About the role
You will develop data acquisition and data analysis software for a variety of ultrafast laser spectroscopy experiments, including:
1. Providing data analysis software for photoemission spectroscopy, to enable on-the-fly analysis of spectra.
2. Adapting commercial data acquisition software for photoemission spectroscopy with a momentum microscope and hemispherical analyser to work with laser-based experiments.
3. Building on existing data acquisition and analysis interfaces for spectroscopy techniques including time-resolved infrared, visible and Raman, multidimensional and sum-frequency generation (SFG).
4. Applying relevant and new approaches to data analysis such as global analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), lifetime density analysis and machine learning.
You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team, including physicists, chemists, materials scientists and engineers. You will interface directly with scientists to gather requirements, and collaborate closely with our software engineering group. Our controls software team is providing a control system based on EPICS (EPICS Controls) and we plan to use Apache Kafka for data transport.
About you
You will have a scientific or computing background, with a STEM degree and PhD or other professional experience. We are looking for a track record of scientific software development, with experience using Python and its scientific packages, and an understanding of modern software development practices. You will be able to evidence your ability to solve complex problems and achieve solutions. Good communication skills and teamwork are essential. You should also have some awareness of spectroscopy analysis and techniques.
To be considered for the higher salary band, you will also have experience of leading software projects through the full life cycle, and a track record in designing technical solutions independently.
Person Specification
The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I), or both (S&I):
1. Degree in physics, chemistry, computer science or a related STEM subject, and a PhD or equivalent professional experience (S).
2. Demonstrable track record of scientific software development, including data acquisition and/or data analysis (S&I).
3. Experience developing well-designed, robust software in Python and its scientific packages (such as numpy, scipy, matplotlib, pandas) (S&I).
4. Understanding of modern software development practices (e.g. testing, version control, continuous integration, Agile, object-oriented design) (S&I).
5. Evidenced ability to solve complex problems and achieve solutions (S&I).
6. Good communication skills and ability to work effectively as part of a team (I).
7. Awareness of spectroscopy, particularly analysis of spectroscopic data (with techniques such as global analysis and principal component analysis), and techniques such as photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES, momentum microscopes) or ultrafast spectroscopy (S&I).
Appointment at the higher band will also require in addition to the above:
1. Experience of leading software projects through the full life cycle, from gathering requirements to deployment and maintenance (S&I).
2. Track record in designing technical solutions independently, and building completed software products (S&I).
What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.
STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered.
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