Beamline Scientist

Position Overview

• 2 x Ongoing positions available | Full Time | $107,184 – $124,038 +15.4% super
• Australian Synchrotron, Melbourne
• Join an outstanding team operating leading imaging and medical research facilities.
• Work with a multi-disciplinary user community, with the opportunity to conduct your own research.
• Imaging Group staff contribute uniquely to all projects, from control software to instrumentation development, to ensure successful scientific outcomes.
• Flexible workplace supporting diversity and inclusion

About the Opportunity

The Imaging Group is part of the Australian Synchrotron Science team, and it currently has TWO vacancies open. The group consists of the Imaging and Medical Beamline (IMBL) and the Micro CT (MCT) beamline. There is currently a position open for an inquisitive and motivated person to join each beamline.

The Science team applies expertise to the operation, maintenance, and development of synchrotron beamlines within their beamline group, as well as research, industry engagement and outreach activities. These two imaging beamlines provide dynamic x-ray imaging/CT at high resolutions and can be applied to a wide range of sample types, from materials to biological systems, including in-vivo research and clinical programmes. These positions are ideal for both early career, and experienced researcher looking to switch fields.

The IMBL is an unrivalled research facility catering for samples from 1cm3 to 1m3, with a beam up to 50cm wide at 140m and energies up to 120keV (monochromatic) and 350keV (polychromatic). We image/CT with medium to high resolution. Our user profile covers engineering, materials science, industrial, palaeontology, vulcanology, health, biomedical, medical, and veterinary science. On the medical and clinical side, our leading project is phase-contrast breast CT, which will see the first human volunteers imaged in 2024. In radiotherapy, we perform ground-breaking research in microbeam radiation therapy, including image guided radiotherapy to clinical standards, with a canine programme as a stepping-stone to human clinical trials.

The MCT beamline complement the IMBL capabilities. It focuses on smaller samples at much higher resolution, using 8 to 40 keV x-rays. Its key science drivers and applications include characterisation of samples in areas such as fibre science, additive manufacturing, minerals processing, biomedical research, soft matter, micro-fossils, and light-alloy development. MCT’s core capabilities are high-throughput imaging/CT with a robotic stage for automated sample exchange, sub-micron resolution and phase-contrast modalities, such as propagation-based, grating-based and speckle imaging.

About You

In this role, you will foster excellent engagement with other members of the Imaging Group, the Science Team, and other operational teams across the facility. You will be supported to develop knowledge of the capabilities, techniques and instrumentation within the beamline group to enable the best possible scientific outcomes.  You will provide input into scientific development at the Australian Synchrotron through strategic planning and contribute to planning new beamlines.

The ideal candidate will have:

• A PhD in physics, materials science, engineering, chemistry, or related fields
• Excellent experimental skills and experience in synchrotron radiation research demonstrated by publications confirming your ability to conduct successful research;
• Experience in x-ray imaging with a focus on CT data processing and reconstruction;
• Ability to work in a closely-knit team with diverse skillsets and backgrounds;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Willingness to collaborate with other synchrotrons and keep up with the latest research in our fields of applications;
• Ability to self-organise and work unsupervised.

In order to solve great challenges, we need great minds and great teams. At ANSTO, we understand that diverse teams produce better outcomes and we value the merit that a diverse perspective can bring to our team. We strongly encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply for our roles, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, primary carers, those with a disability, and women in STEM. ANSTO is a charter member of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative and is proudly taking action to create a gender-inclusive workforce. 

Your Duties and Responsibilities

• Work within a dynamic team of experts and acquire skills in new research applications.
• Provide scientific and technical support, advice, and training to national and international synchrotron beamline users of the Imaging Group beamlines.
• Contribute expertise and knowledge to the development of plans and processes for the beamlines, facilities, and capabilities.
• Engage with the Australian, and international, scientific community to develop a thriving synchrotron research user base.
• Undertake research which increases your own capacity for beamline usage and understanding to improve scientific visibility of the Australian Synchrotron.
• Promote and develop outreach activities within the Imaging Group, and on behalf of the Australian Synchrotron and ANSTO.
• Participate in professional forums and other professional associations. Highlight the impact and benefits of the facility to the scientific community, external stakeholders, and general audiences at the local and international level.

Please click here to view the Position Description.

About Us

ANSTO leverages great science to deliver big outcomes.  We partner with scientists and engineers and apply new technologies to provide real-world benefits.  Our work improves human health, saves lives, builds our industries and protects the environment.  ANSTO is the home of Australia’s most significant landmark and national infrastructure for research.  Thousands of scientists from industry and academia benefit from gaining access to state-of-the-art instruments every year.

Benefits of Working with Us

ANSTO employees are passionate about what they do. We enjoy being part of an organisation making a difference in the lives of Australians.

We support and reward our employees through eligibility for:

• Training, development and mentoring opportunities
• Performance based salary increases
• Work-life balance with generous leave entitlements and flexible conditions

If you want to join a world class organisation that’s making a difference in the lives of Australians, apply now!

How to Apply

For further technical information relating to this position please refer to the Position Description or contact Daniel Hausermann on +61 (04) 8830 4155 or danielh@ansto.gov.au.  For all other queries please contact Talent Acquisition on +61 (02) 9717 3359

To be eligible for appointment, applicants will require a security and pre-employment medical assessment.

Application closing date:  Wednesday, 3 January 2024 at 11.59pm

Australian Citizens Preferred