Post-doc in Biomedical Engineering, Biomechanics, partial placement MAX IV - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

MAX IV is a Swedish national large-scale research laboratory hosted by Lund University. It provides scientists from Sweden as well as internationally, with state-of-the-art instrumentation for research in areas such as engineering, physics, structural biology, chemistry and nanotechnology. Fully developed it will receive more than 2 000 scientists annually, conducting ground-breaking experiments in materials and life sciences using the brilliant X-ray light.

Subject description

Background:  The research in the biomechanics group is focused on understanding the link between mechanics and biology in the musculoskeletal system, with emphasis on solving problems in orthopaedics. Tissue characterisation, using synchrotron based techniques has become vital to understand the tissue’s function-, structure-, composition relationships.

NanoMAX and SoftiMAX are both nanoprobe beamlines, designed to take full advantage of MAX IV’s exceptionally low emittance and the resulting coherence properties of the X-ray beam enabling imaging applications at unprecedented resolution. NanoMAX uses hard X-rays, and has been operational since 2017. Available techniques include scanning X-ray diffraction and coherent imaging in the Bragg geometry, forward ptychography and coherent diffraction imaging, as well as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) imaging. SoftiMAX is a soft X-ray beamline, planned to be in user operation in 2021. Available techniques include Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM), ptychography, and XRF imaging.

Goals: The current position is primarily dedicated to XRF, with the main aim to develop a more intuitive data analysis pipeline with emphasis on applications for life science-oriented users. The goals will be accomplished through the framework of the research questions addressed within the biomechanics group with focus on understanding the function-structure-composition relationships in mineralized tissues. Specific emphasis is on elucidating the role of Zinc in mineralization of bone.

This employment is at Biomedical Engineering, but with a major part spent at MAX IV laboratory.

Work duties / Tasks

The main duties involved in the post-doctoral position is to conduct research and beamline development. User support is also 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.

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• The post-doc is expected to take responsibility for designing, planning and developing an intuitive and more automated analysis pipeline for XRF data, dedicated to life science users, connected primarily to NanoMAX and secondly to SoftiMAX.
• The post-doc is expected to drive the research project connected to mineralization in bone using XRF.
• Depending on interest, the post-doc may also combine XRF imaging techniques with other methods available at the beamlines (e.g. wide angle X-ray scattering, nano-diffraction, ptychography and STXM).
• The post-doc is expected to assist with user support for relevant experiments, including experiment preparations and guiding in data analysis
• The post-doc is expected to be active in workshops, lectures and outreach efforts towards the life science community
• Opportunities to also supervise MSc degree projects and to assist the group when seeking external research funding is available.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, 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 applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

 
Essential requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• A background in physics, applied mathematics, engineering or other relevant fields
• Demonstrated experience in synchrotron-related techniques, where experience in XRF Imaging holds special merit
• Demonstrated experience in X-ray data analysis
• Scientific computer programming skills, preferably in Python (or C++), and experience with large scale data processing.
• Demonstrated ability to work in teams and interact with a diverse group of scientists and technical staff in a dynamic environment.

Additional requirements are considered assets

• Experience from the life-science field with biological tissue characterization is meriting.
• Experience with collaborative software development for scientific applications is meriting.
• Experience in providing user support is meriting

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers.

Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Scientific communication skills.

 
Additional assessment criteria:

The post-doc should be able to independently drive his/her own project, as well as writing scientific publications. The post-doc should be able to assist users. International networks and experience is considered positive.

 
Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

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.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English. LTH uses a special qualifications portfolio to report and document qualifications. Draw up the application in accordance with the following outline and attach it as three PDF files (in the recruitment system). Read more here:

http://www.lth.se/english/working-at-lth/to-apply-for-academic-positions-at-lth/