Postdoc CoSAXS, 2 years - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The CoSAXS beamline is a state-of-the-art multipurpose Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) instrument at MAX IV which is currently under construction (https://www.maxiv.lu.se/accelerators-beamlines/beamlines/cosaxs/). It will offer high brilliance, monochromatic and tunable X-rays, with outstanding performance in low beam divergence, high X-ray flux, and variable beam sizes in the full range of the sample-detector distances provided by the beamline (up to 18 m).

The beamline will be equipped with state of the art SAXS/WAXS detectors. Several techniques will be available through modular operation: time resolved SAXS, SAXS/WAXS, protein solution SAXS (BioSAXS), micro-focusing SAXS and XPCS. It is due to commence full user operation in 2019.

We are offering a postdoctoral position to develop the capabilities of the beamline to perform time resolved BioSAXS measurements at seconds to milliseconds time scales. The postdoc should be prepared to integrate a flowing sample environment with rapid data collection strategies whilst, for example, inducing temperature jumps by either laser or terahertz radiation heating. Specific data interpretation strategies should be introduced.

The candidate will also be able to develop their own research projects exploring further possibilities for time resolved SAXS in a broader range of applications. Support will be provided including development beamtime and the possibility to apply for beamtime in other large scale facilities. The technical developments will be made available to the CoSAXS user community of MAX IV Laboratory. This position is funded through a Röntgen-Ångström-Cluster funded project “Non-equilibrium thermodynamics of biology studied by time-resolved small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering” (http://ttsas.eu).

Tasks

The position include the following tasks:

- You will be responsible for the development of the time resolved BioSAXS measurements on CoSAXS.
- You will work in close collaboration with the CoSAXS team for the development of suitable sample environments for time resolved SAS experiments.
- You will develop strategies for data collection, reduction and interpretation at the millisecond timescales.
- You will present results at meetings, conferences and through publications.
- You will play an active role in experiments at other (international) facilities as part of the RÅC project, through proposal writing, experiment protocol planning, preparation of equipment, data collection and interpretation.
- You will share responsibilities for operation, maintenance and further development of the beamline in close collaboration with the CoSAXS team.

Qualifications

The successfull candidate has the following qualifications:

- You must hold a PhD in biology, physics, chemistry, materials science, electronics, engineering or a related discipline.
- You must have documented experience (e.g. publications) of synchrotron-based BioSAXS experiments and data interpretation for BioSAXS.
- You must have documented experience (e.g. publications) for time resolved (from seconds to millisecond) experiments (which can include spectroscopic and/or scattering methods).
- You have a demonstrated ability to work independently and we would welcome you developing your own research on the field of time resolved x-ray scattering experiments.
-You have excellent command of spoken and written English, well-developed communication skills and team working skills.

- The following qualifications are considered a merit:

- Planning, design/construction/purchase, installation, operation or maintenance of complex scientific equipment
- Experience of IR, terahertz or Raman spectroscopy in biophysics.
- Experience of laser heating systems or terahertz radiation sources
- Experience of the experimental set-up for time-resolved measurements, for example,  triggering and synchronization of data acquisition
- Experience of Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the doctoral degree or equivalent is completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.