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About the Role

This entry-level, fixed-term contract role is ideal for a recent graduate eager to gain hands-on experience with research-grade equipment and build a practical foundation in a real lab environment. You will operate core instrument suites, perform maintenance, run experiments, and collaborate with scientists.

Responsibilities

• Operate core instrument suite: thin film deposition systems, high vacuum equipment, high temperature metallurgy systems, XRD, SEM and optical characterisation.
• Perform routine and preventive maintenance, and help diagnose faults.
• Run synthesis and characterisation experiments, ensuring reproducibility and rigorous data capture.
• Support writing and maintaining SOPs and risk assessments for equipment and processes.
• Manage consumables, materials inventory, and equipment readiness for the research team.
• Collaborate with materials scientists and ML researchers to design experimental runs and interpret results.
• Support the integration of experimental data into digital infrastructure and AI pipelines.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (such as materials science, physics, chemistry, or engineering) or a science T-level with relevant specialism such as Laboratory sciences.
• Practical exposure to laboratory environments, potentially gained through academic projects, industrial placements, or advanced coursework.
• A rigorous and methodical mindset with an uncompromising eye for detail.
• Eagerness to master the operation and technical upkeep of sophisticated, research-grade instrumentation.
• Strong accountability regarding safety protocols and the disciplined execution of established procedures.
• Excellent organisational habits and a commitment to maintaining precise, transparent experimental records.
• Genuine passion for contributing to a collaborative, high-velocity start-up team.
• Not suited for people with active implantable medical devices such as pacemakers.

Skills

• SEM
• XRD
• Thin film deposition
• Arc melting
• Metal grinding and polishing
• High-vacuum systems
• Chemicals handling
• Laboratory safety regulations and practices
• AI
• Machine learning

Location

• London

Work Type

• Fixed-term contract
• Full-time

Experience Level

• Entry-level
• Junior

Education Level

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline (materials science, physics, chemistry, or engineering)
• Science T-level with relevant specialism (Laboratory sciences)

Salary/Compensations

• Competitive salary

Benefits

• Dedicated mentorship and hands-on training
• Opportunity to help establish a lab from the ground up
• Clear path to take on more responsibility
• Competitive benefits

About the Company

• Diffractive is building the AI Material Scientist that autonomously learns from real-world experimentation to push the boundaries of scientific discovery.
• We are early, moving fast, and working on problems that genuinely matter.
• We are a small, high-calibre team where your work has real impact from day one.

Equal Opportunity

• Diffractive is an equal opportunities employer.
• We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities.
• We will provide adjustments or accommodations at any point during the interview process upon request.