Beamline Scientist Soft X-ray / Spectroscopy

Position Overview

• Ongoing, Full-time, $111k - $125k +15.4% super
• Clayton, Victoria location
• Exciting and challenging opportunity to apply your interpersonal and professional skills and expertise at one of Australia’s landmark scientific facilities
• Play a key role in supporting and fostering a vibrant community of scientists, researchers, and industry

1. About the Opportunity

We are excited to offer you a great opportunity to use your strong team and interpersonal skills, creativity, and interest in scientific kit by becoming a valued member of our diverse team of scientists in the Spectroscopy Group of ANSTO’s Australian Synchrotron.

The Spectroscopy Group comprises four beamlines: X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS), Medium-Energy XAS 1 & 2, and Soft X-ray Spectroscopy. This position focuses primarily on the SXR beamline but also broadens to engage with the XAS beamline and other capabilities in the Spectroscopy Group. The position also provides significant opportunity to make meaningful contributions to the entire team and the broader facility.

You will have the chance to collaborate with scientists, researchers, and industry partners across a wide array of disciplines, providing them with unique opportunities to innovate using cutting-edge scientific technology.

Our team is committed to providing expert guidance, service, and promoting safe working practices to all user groups and clients. We also prioritise building inclusive communities and fostering productive relationships. Collaboration and effective communication are core values for us, and we are dedicated to engaging with the community to showcase the impact of our scientific achievements through compelling stories.

In addition, we provide opportunities for professional development and learning to support your growth and career development.

2. About You

This role is ideal for you if you enjoy engaging with people, being hands-on, continuous learning, and working collaboratively.

In this position, we will support you to develop your knowledge of the capabilities, techniques, and instrumentation within the Spectroscopy Group. Together we will contribute to scientific outcomes to benefit people and the environment.

Your insights are important to us and will contribute to developing our teams and the organisation.

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 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. 

3. Your Duties and Responsibilities

For selection criteria for this role, please refer to the corresponding section further below.

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Provide scientific and technical support, advice and training to national and international synchrotron beamline users of the Spectroscopy Group (with some focus on the SXR beamline).
• Work collaboratively and share scientific expertise to positively contribute to the science and research culture at ANSTO.
• Engage with colleagues and the scientific community to develop a thriving synchrotron research community.
• Develop and apply knowledge of industry best practice and technology to contribute to development of the synchrotron beamline and associated facilities. Contribute expertise and knowledge to the development of plans and processes for the installation of new capabilities and facilities.
• Undertake research which increases own capacity for beamline use and understanding and which improves scientific visibility of the profile and facilities of ANSTO’s Australian Synchrotron.
• Promote and develop outreach activities within the Spectroscopy Group, and on behalf of the Australian Synchrotron and ANSTO, including participating in professional forums and other professional associations in line with your interests.
• Participate in professional conferences or events relevant to your scientific or research interests.
• Ensure appropriate policy, procedures, and guidelines are adhered to associated with the beamline and facility in particular in relation to WHS, radiation safety and equipment.
• Undertake specific responsibilities or duties as assigned by the Beamline Group Manager.

Please click here to view the Position Description.

4. Key Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria responses will be used by the Selection Committee when evaluating your application. The criteria marked as ‘professional skills and personal attributes’ will be assessed at the interview stage.

In your application, please include a written response to the following five (5) selection criteria listed under “Qualifications and Experience” (up to a total of approximately 800 words).

Qualifications and Experience (assessed at application stage)
Applicants will be required to meet the qualifications and technical expertise requirements for their application to be considered further.

1.    PhD in a relevant field of science (e.g. physics, materials science, Earth science, biology, chemistry, etc) [Essential].   Post-doctoral or equivalent experience in a relevant area of research. [Desirable] 2.    Hands-on experience with, and a good understanding of, X-ray techniques, synchrotron methods, and/or analytical instrumentation relevant to the role, including the ability to acquire, process, analyse, and interpret data. [Essential]   Experience with vacuum science, technology, and instrumentation. [Desirable] 3.    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work collaboratively and willingly share knowledge and information with colleagues, users and other stakeholders. [Essential] 4.    Demonstrated ability to produce scientific or research outcomes. [Essential] 5.    Strong customer focus [Essential]​​​​​.   Experience in a user-, teaching, or service-based environment supporting clients or students. [Desirable]

Professional Skills and Personal Attribute Selection Criteria (assessed at interview stage)
These selection criteria will be assessed at the interview stage only, and do not require responses in your written application.

•    Personal qualities that will add value to a diverse team. [Essential] •    Ability to work independently and able to plan and manage time to meet deadlines and objectives. [Essential] •    Ability to train and teach others. [Essential] •    Initiative and drive, and the ability to learn and solve problems in a dynamic environment, independently and in teams. [Essential] •    Strong organisational skills and ability to follow procedures and guidelines. [Essential] •    Good technical and instrumentation skills. Experience with programming or scientific computing. [Desirable]

5. 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.

6. 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!

7. How to Apply

Please make sure to include your responses to the five Key Selection Criteria listed under “Qualifications and Experience” (up to a total of approximately 800 words).

For further technical information relating to this position please refer to the Position Description or contact Dr Peter Kappen, Beamline Group Manager - Spectroscopy ([email protected]; 03 8540 4230). For all other queries please contact Talent Acquisition on +61 (02) 9717 3740.

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

Application closing date:  25 November 2024, 11.00pm

All applicants must be Australian citizens.

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 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.