PhD position: X-ray imaging techniques at brilliant sources - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research (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. MAX IV (http://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.

NanoLund (http://www.nano.lu.se), formerly known as the Nanometer Structure Consortium, founded in 1988, supports and coordinates activities within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. NanoLund is today Sweden’s largest research environment for nanoscience, engaging approximately 250 PhD students and scientists in the faculties of engineering, the natural sciences, and medicine at Lund University. Its vision is to bring together the most creative minds in a world-leading interdisciplinary research environment to help overcome society's grand challenges by pushing the frontiers of nanoscience. NanoLund runs Lund Nano Lab (http://www.nano.lu.se/lundnanolab-2), a state of the art facility for nanofabrication.

For more information about the main supervisor of the project, please see: https://scholar.google.se/citations?user=a1EM5iYAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao

Job assignment

X-rays have a unique ability to investigate samples in their natural state, such as cells, proteins in solution or electronic devices potentially at resolutions up to the atomic level. The advent of diffraction-limited storage rings (MAX IV) and X-ray free-electron lasers (European XFEL) have opened a whole new spectrum of applications due to their unprecedented brilliance. This project aims to develop novel X-ray imaging methods which exploit the unique capabilities of such facilities to address long-standing problems in the X-ray imaging community such as radiation damage and limited temporal resolution. In particular, the candidate will work on the development of ultrafast single-shot multi-projection imaging and dose-efficient imaging techniques to address the scientific challenges derived from NanoLund and the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research of the Lund University.

The project is computational with an experimental component. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to gain the understanding of the whole imaging process, i.e. simulate the novel techniques, perform experiments primarily at MAX IV and the European XFEL, and analyze the data to reconstruct the samples. The collected and processed data will be invaluable to address relevant scientific questions which cannot be studied with current approaches and require these high brilliance facilities.

Entry requirements

A formal requirement for doctoral studies in physics is:

• a university degree on advanced level within a related field, such as a Master's degree in physics orequivalent, or

• substantial advanced course work at the Master level, or comparable, including an independentresearch project.

Furthermore, the acceptance is based on the estimated ability to accomplish postgraduate studies.

Other requirements:

Good knowledge in spoken and written English is a requirement.

Basis of assessment

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The

evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to postgraduate studies within the research area, such as a broad andthorough preparation in physics. This can be documented by appended documents.

2. Estimated ability to work independently and the ability to formulate and solve scientific questions. This ability can be established, for example, based on undergraduate research experiences, a Master's thesis or in a discussion of scientific problems during a possible interview.

3. Skills in written and oral communication.
4. Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Other assessment criteria:

For the present position, competence in semiconductor physics and related experimental methods are of special value.

Additional assessment criteria are:

5. Experience in programming: Python, MATLAB, and C++
6. Experience in imaging techniques in any part of the electromagnetic spectrum
7. Experience in wave-propagation simulation and phase reconstruction
8. Experience in machine learning and big data is appreciated

Important personal qualities are, beside creativity and a curious mind, the ability to work both

independently and in a group and experience in the scientific interaction with researchers from other

disciplines and in other countries. We consider good cooperation ability, drive and independent work

ability as positive personal attributes. 

Terms of employment

A PhD position is an employment with the main duty to be engaged in PhD studies according to the study plan. The duration of PhD studies is 4 years full time studies. In addition, teaching and other institutional duties normally occur at a level of at most 20% of full time. The position is then extended correspondingly, however not longer than corresponding to 5 years full time employment. PhD positions are subject to special regulations. These can be found in the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance (SFS 1993:100, ch. 5). Only those who are or have been admitted to PhD-studies may be appointed to PhD position.

Application procedure

Apply online! Applications must contain a cover letter in which applicants describe themselves and their particular research interests. Applications must also include a CV, a copy of the applicant’s Master’s thesis (or a summary text if the thesis is not yet completed), contact details of at least two references, copies of grade certificates, and any other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to.