Senior/Principal Software Scientist

About Us
Software helps to enable the world-leading science performed at Diamond. Our software systems facilitate operations at all levels, including the low-level control of synchrotron and beamline hardware, the planning, execution and monitor of experiments, data archiving and retrieval, data processing and visualisation, the application for beamtime, and capture of remote experiment plans and samples. Our software engineers work alongside our scientists to develop innovative and robust solutions to keep Diamond at the forefront of scientific research.

About the Role
We now have an opportunity for a Senior/ Principal Software Scientist to lead the team that develops and supports the data analysis software used for the success of experiments on Diamond’s Macromolecular Crystallography (MX) beamlines and instruments.

As a Senior Software Scientist, you will:

• Provide leadership within the team that develops, tests, maintains and supports data analysis software in MX, in collaboration with beamline staff, and the other software groups.
• Contribute to the design and development of enhancements to data analysis software to support new capabilities and experiments on Diamond’s beamlines and instruments. Use scientific, technical and professional knowledge to identify opportunities for process system improvements.
• Provide first line support of the software for beamlines, interacting closely with beamline staff and users, including fault diagnosis and resolution.
• Provide direction and support to other Data Analysis staff. Encourage the consolidation of workflows and software used across beamlines that use overlapping techniques. Keep the user experience across beamlines consistent, high quality and robust.
• Lead larger projects that require the input of software developers from the group and from Diamond’s data acquisition, scientific computing & controls groups. Establish, maintain and participate in international collaborations to contribute to the success of Diamond as an organisation and to the success of Diamond beamlines for our users.

As a Principal Software Scientist, you will also:

• Contribute to long-term (5-10 year) strategic plans for software development across science areas (e.g. accommodating impact of detector developments and new modalities of data collection).
• Provide technical leadership on the improvement of software products and their integration.
• Define the architecture and design principles to guide technical decisions for the architecture of software products.
• Take responsibility for the overall reliability, quality, and delivery of software to beamline users and scientists.
• Coordination and project management of complex/cross group beamline software projects.

Applicants will be considered at either Senior or Principal level, depending on the strength of your skills, experience and qualifications.

About You
You will hold a first degree in engineering, computing or science, have significant practical experience in a professional, scientific or technical field, as well as experience in the following areas:

• Familiarity with X-ray Crystallography including underlying principles and practical applications.
• Information or data management and models in the context of data analysis and processing.
• Modern programming languages such as Python, C, and C++, and software tools for delivering and visualising large complex data.
• Software testing systems in delivering robust services, taking advantage of CI/CD.
• Project management and leading a small team of engineers or scientists.

If you wish to be considered for the principal position, then you will also have:

• A PhD degree or equivalent experience in scientific or engineering domain.
• Deep understanding of Macromolecular Crystallography, including scientific and industrial applications, and the related SW and HW technologies.
• Familiarity with X-ray detector technology.
• Experience with defining and managing complex scientific software projects.
• Awareness of multiple diverse technologies, platforms, and environments, including HPC, cloud computing, networking, AI/ML, GPU.
• Proven ability of ensuring good software engineering practices.
• Proven ability to map out an architecture vision and translating it to development roadmaps.
• Proven experience of working across multiple stakeholders to deliver quality software solutions.

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.

This role qualifies for a non-pensionable allowance of £3000 - £3500 per annum.

To Apply
Please use the online application process (available on the university's website, accessed by the 'Apply' button) to apply and tell us if you are applying for the Senior or Principal role and why you believe you are suitable for the role.

The closing date for applications is 16th March, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.