Postdoctoral fellow: Accessing high pressure and low temperature states of exotic magnetism via inelastic neutron scattering - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Physics (http://www.sljus.lu.se) is a part of the Department of Physics and has more than 40 employees. The focus of the research is on experimental studies of electronic, structural, and chemical properties of materials. The Division is developing a new activity focussing on magnetic properties.  At the Division we use and develop a wide range of large facility- and lab-based techniques. We are additionally engaged in the development of the MAX IV Laboratory in the fields of beamlines, experimental stations, techniques for Synchrotron radiation and the accelerator systems, and have close links to the European Spallation Source (www.esss.se), a new European neutron facility under construction near MAX IV.  MAX IV (www.maxiv.lu.se/) is a national large-scale research laboratory hosted by Lund University and situated within biking distance from the Department of Physics. It provides scientists from Sweden and the rest of the world with the most brilliant Synchrotron radiation source and instrumentation for research in areas such as materials science, structural biology, chemistry and nanotechnology.

Research project

The interactions of electrons in materials are a rich and complex source of physical problems, in part due to the problems of dealing with the large number of many-body interactions.  These interactions give rise to fundamentally quantum mechanical states such as superconductivity and magnetism.  New quantum states of matter are being uncovered on a regular basis.  External perturbations are able to drive a magnetic state into a new phase, providing vital information on the internal exchange interactions. 

This project will focus on the application of pressure, primarily for use in inelastic neutron scattering experiments.  While this has been done, there have historically been constraints due to the required sample size for neutron scattering.  The neutron brilliance at the new European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund will greatly exceed existing sources, providing new scientific opportunities in this area.

You will work with a team at Lund University and at the ESS, to develop a new generation of pressure cells, optimised for use at the ESS.  You will test these cells at other neutron facilities in Europe prior the ESS coming on line.  Potential subjects will include studies of low-dimensional model magnetic systems, the effect of pressure on multiferroic materials (where there is interplay between magnetic and other, e.g. electric, degrees of freedom), and frustrated magnets, where the geometrical arrangement of the atoms constrains the physics.

This project is supported by a VR grant. 

The supervisor for this project will be Elizabeth Blackburn.

Work description

The main duty involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position shall include the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The postdoctoral fellow is expected to interact with the master students and the PhD students in the research group and contribute to meetings and seminars.

This project aims to study magnetic properties of strongly correlated electron systems at high pressure, with a focus on (inelastic) neutron scattering.  Knowledge and experience of neutron scattering is not required; this will form a part of the post-doctoral training as required.  The main technical component of the work will be designing and building the pressure cells.  To optimize the cells for use with the ESS instruments, Monte Carlo simulations will need to be done; training in the relevant codes (McStas) will be provided.  The scientific component will be drawn from the subjects mentioned above, and time will be allocated during the position to develop your own scientific programme.

The work to be done will be split between experiments conducted in the laboratories in Lund and experiments conducted at large-scale neutron and x-ray facilities around the world. 

The work will be performed in collaboration with several other researchers at the institute as well as a number of Ph.D. students and master students.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD degree, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for application.

Other requirements:

The subject of the doctoral degree should be in physics, chemistry, or equivalent.

Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focussed on research.  The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.  Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject area.

The following shall form the primary assessment criteria:

1. A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
2. Teaching skills, or related experience, such as mentoring, supervision, or training in equipment use.

Additional assessment criteria (in order of importance) are:

1. Experience in high pressure research.
2. Experience with low temperature experimental equipment.
3. Experience in large-facility experiments.
4. Experience in engineering simulations.

Important personal qualities are, besides creativity and a curious mind, the ability to work both independently and in a group, and experience in scientific interaction with researchers from other disciplines and other countries.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.