about us

Diamond Light Source is the UK’s National Synchrotron Science Facility. By accelerating electrons to near the speed of light, Diamond generates brilliant beams of light from infrared to x-rays that are used in academic and industrial research and development across a range of scientific disciplines including structural biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering, earth and environmental science.

We offer seven molecular crystallography (MX) beamlines and associated laboratories for fragment-based screening, membrane proteins, crystallization and biophysics to the international structural biology community. Besides specialized MX beamlines for long-wavelength, room temperature, dynamics, and fractional focus datasets, we operate several high-throughput, automated beamlines for cryogenically fixed samples. In 2028-2029, Diamond will undergo a major upgrade of its machine and beamlines (Project Diamond-II) which will include an 18-month shutdown to enable the works to be carried out.

About the role

XChem is a key component of Diamond’s world-first crystal fragment screening offering for academic, non-profit and industrial users. The majority of user operations are associated with the I04-1 beamline, but there is now an exciting opportunity to exploit the wide range of tools and associated capabilities at Diamond and across the Harwell campus to expand and deepen the XChem offering. With Diamond-II, the new high-flux, tunable K04 beamline will be linked to the fully automated XChem laboratory, although there are opportunities to use other beamlines and develop, for example, room-temperature part inspection on site.

We now have an opportunity for a Lead Beamline Scientist to work with the XChem team to support and develop XChem and its Academic User Program.

Duties include:

• Lead and develop XChem and its team.
• – Close liaison with the XChem team of the Industrial Liaison Office.
• Working with the K04 team to transform XChem operations at Diamond-II.
• Further develop your FBDD impact with colleagues across Diamond’s MX facilities.

About you

You will have an appropriate PhD or demonstrated relevant experience, along with excellent interpersonal communication skills, the ability to collaborate and lead in large, complex multidisciplinary groups and have a passion for enabling best-in-class science. It is expected that there will be a strong track record in the field of fragment-based drug discovery.

benefits

Diamond offers an exceptional benefits package to support employees in achieving a positive work-life balance. This includes 26 days annual leave plus Christmas and bank holiday closures, two annual volunteer days and flexible working hours. We also offer an excellent defined benefit pension scheme. Staff also have access to a range of on-site amenities including a nursery, cafes, restaurant and sports and leisure facilities. A transportation allowance may also be available where applicable.

This role is eligible for a non-pensionable allowance of £3,500 per annum.

As standard, this role requires full on-site working arrangements

To apply

Please use the online application process to apply and tell us why you think you would be a good fit for this role.

The application deadline is 9 November 2025, however, we encourage early applications as some candidates may be interviewed before this date.