University College London (UCL) invites applications for a Research Fellow in Electron Crystallography Data Processing within the Department of Chemistry. This post is part of the BBSRC-funded research project titled “Closing the data-quality gap for serial crystallography and electron diffraction”, conducted in partnership with Diamond Light Source and the STFC maintainers of DIALS and CCP4.
Job Overview
| Designation | Research Fellow |
| Research Area | Electron Crystallography, Data Processing, Diffraction & Scattering Physics |
| Department / Institution | Department of Chemistry, University College London (UCL) |
| Location | Bloomsbury Campus, London, United Kingdom (with visits to Harwell) |
| Salary | £47,186 to £55,099 per annum |
| Contract Type | Full Time, Fixed-Term (36 months) |
| Job Reference | B04-08050 |
| Closing Date | 3 December 2026 |
Job Description
The successful candidate will join the Advanced Microscopy and Crystallography Lab, led by Dr Andrew Stewart, to explore how scattering processes and detector interactions influence the measurement and extraction of integrated intensities in electron crystallography. The ultimate goal is to optimise the measurement and integration of electron diffraction data to yield more accurate structural outputs.
Key responsibilities include:
- Combining theoretical models of electron diffraction with the construction of a digital twin of the experimental setup.
- Implementing new algorithms and methodologies directly into the DIALS software package.
- Collaborating closely with partner teams at UCL and Harwell (Diamond Light Source / STFC).
- Designing and maintaining the research group’s software codebase.
- Supervising undergraduate and postgraduate research students.
- Contributing to future grant proposals and leading the preparation of scientific manuscripts for publication.
Eligibility & Qualifications
- Education: A PhD (or nearing completion) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a closely related discipline.
- Domain Expertise: A strong background in crystallography, electron microscopy, or the theoretical modelling of scattering and diffraction phenomena.
- Technical Knowledge: Sound understanding of crystallographic and diffraction principles, along with in-depth knowledge of electron microscopy/diffraction or scattering theory (e.g., electron/X-ray scattering, wave optics, or related computational physics).
- Software & Analytical Skills: Experience with scientific computing, data analysis, and software development relevant to structural biology or crystallography is highly advantageous.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should apply online via the official UCL jobs portal. When submitting your application, please ensure you include:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A complete list of publications.
- A covering letter explaining your interest in the position and detailing how your expertise meets the essential criteria.
For more details on the research group, visit the Advanced Microscopy and Crystallography Lab website.
Last Date for Apply: 3 December 2026
