Nineteen world-class researchers are being sought as part of an upgrade of the Isis neutron source at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire.
The Council for the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils is looking for two senior scientists, eight scientists and nine electrical engineers to help develop the facility, which produces neutrons for research in chemistry, materials science, geology and biology.
Isis has a user community of about 15,000 people and partnerships with countries all over the world. The Government contributed £100 million to the upgrade, which Lord Sainsbury, the Science Minister, announced in April 2003.
An extra £.5 million is earmarked for new instruments, to increase the production of neutrons - created through the bombardment of a heavy metal target by proton beams.
Recruiters hope to bring new blood to the facility to help operate existing instruments, freeing experienced staff to work on designing new ones.
The CCLRC is looking to recruit one senior scientist in diffraction and one in biomolecular science. "We are looking for somebody to promote the biology-focused programme because it has not made the impact it could have."