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Computational Systems Chemistry

Location:  Highfield Campus
Salary:   Â£34,980 to £38,205 Per annum
Full Time Permanent
Closing Date:  Tuesday 28 May 2024
Interview Date:   To be confirmed
Reference:  2705224EB

The water window X-ray microscope project is an exciting new EPSRC-funded collaboration between the University of Southampton's School of Chemistry and Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), the Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI), and the Central Laser Facility (CLF) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. The project will design and construct a lab-scale soft X-ray microscope for biological imaging using soft X-rays generated using ultrafast lasers and applying coherent diffractive imaging techniques. 

The successful applicant will be part of a multidisciplinary team constructing a new laser laboratory at the Rutherford Appleton Labs in Harwell, home of the most powerful femtosecond lasers in the UK, and of the Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI), a new UK research institute with a focus in biological imaging using several complementary modalities and radiations. The lab will be based around a new generation of femtosecond laser sources which produce high energy femtosecond pulses in the infrared at average powers that are a factor of 100 higher than typical femtosecond lasers. 

The candidate will join a vibrant research community at Southampton, the RFI, and the CLF, which includes physicists, chemists, computer scientists, and biologists all working to develop imaging techniques within a supportive and diverse environment. 

The post will be based at the University of Southampton and employed by the School of Chemistry. The role will involve the development and application of computational algorithms for processing the soft X-ray scattering data produced by experiments in the new ultrafast X-ray lab at Harwell. Ptychographic imaging is the principal area of interest, using multiple scattering patterns to reconstruct X-ray images. 

The successful applicant will have a PhD or equivalent level qualification and experience in the use and development of algorithms for phase retrieval in coherent diffractive imaging, ideally in ptychography. Commitment to working with experimentalists to improve experimental design is important. Experience with GPU-accelerated computing is desirable, as is experience with HPC systems. The role will involve collaboration with teams at the RFI and RAL developing ptychography software. 

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given

Collaboration across disciplines, from computational algorithm development to biology, will be essential and the broad range of disciplines within the project team will provide the applicant with experience in some of the most exciting areas of photonics and imaging science, together with strong support for career development.