The main duties of a
beamline scientist are:
How to become a
Beamline Scientist
1. Support users by configuring the beamline
First degree in science or engineering.
to collect high quality data and to turn that
raw data into meaningful scientific results.
PhD in any subject, so long as you use a
synchrotron as part of your research!
2. To design and implement upgrades to
3-5 years of postdoctoral experience
using beamlines regularly.
3. Run a research programme, including writing
There are approx. 50 synchrotrons
around the world, employing only around
40 beamline scientists each. So be
prepared to travel if a job comes up!
improve the beamline, in collaboration with other
scientists and support groups at Diamond.
grant proposals, carrying out experiments
on beamlines at Diamond and elsewhere,
and supporting postgraduate students.
Career progression
It is very hard to get back into pure academia
from a beamline scientist position. Further
career progression would be within
synchrotrons to a point where you would
design and build your own beamline.
LIGHT FACTS ABOUT LIGHT
An infrared photon
walks into a room
and says, "Is it hot in
here, or is it just me?"
Perimeter Instit
ute of Theoretic
al Physics
IGNIS
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