IGNIS July 2015 | Page 13

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 13