Post doctoral fellow in Investigating electronic responses using ARPES and RIXS - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
This is a joint postdoctoral position between the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research and the Bloch and Veritas beamlines at MAX-IV.  The beamlines Bloch and Veritas at the MAX-IV synchrotron are designed for ARPES (angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy) and RIXS (resonant inelastic X-ray scattering) respectively. 

The Bloch beamline consists of two branchlines, and is dedicated to high resolution photoelectron spectroscopy, encompassing angle-resolved (ARPES), spin-resolved (spin-ARPES) and shallow core-level spectroscopy.  It is located on the 1.5 GeV storage ring, and it employs an elliptically polarising undulator as a photon source.

Branchline 1 has an endstation dedicated to high-performance ARPES experiments, ideal for mapping energy dispersions and Fermi surfaces.  The endstation consists of six ultra high vacuum chambers connected by a radial-distribution chamber.  Besides the main analysis chamber, there are two flexible and well-equipped preparation chambers (dedicated to high- and low-vapour pressure evaporation sources), a scanning tunnelling microscope, a sample storage chamber and a fast-entry load-lock.  The analysis chamber is equipped with a fully motorized six-axis manipulator capable of cooling samples to below 20 K, paired with a high performance deflector based DA30 hemispherical analyser from ScientaOmicron.  Deflection mode measurements enable Fermi surface mapping without needing to rotate the sample, advantageous for very small or inhomogeneous samples, and also for maintaining a fixed polarization geometry.  Branchline 2 is currently in the commissioning phase, and will focus on spin-resolved ARPES and a few flexible sample environment applications.

Veritas is a soft X-ray resonant inelastic X0ray scattering beamline.  The spectrometer is designed to cover an energy range from 275 – 1500 eV, which includes the carbon, nitrogen and oxygen K-edges and the transition metal L-edgges.  To achieve high energy resolution, the spectrometer is about 10 m long, and to achieve high momentum transfer resolution it can rotate 120 degrees in the horizontal plane.

The scientific focus of this postdoctoral position is on correlated electron systems, ideally those where ARPES and/or RIXS may be helpful techniques.  The project will initially start by considering perovskite materials, but the successful candidate will also be able to develop their own scientific interests within the broader field of correlated electron systems.  The candidate will be able to access the resources of the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research; of particular interest here will be the sample growth and characterization capabilities of the Magnetism and Superconductivity group within the Division. Perovskites form a rich playground for the study of electronic effects, with control afforded by careful choice of component ions and site doping.  There is often a metal-insulator transition, associated with strong changes in electronic transport, and typically a strong interplay between the spin, lattice, orbital and charge degrees of freedom.  Using these two techniques, there is the possibility of fully exploring both sides of the metal-insulator transition. For example, the electronic structure in the metallic state may be carefully studied by ARPES, where the quasiparticle excitations can be explored.  In the insulating state, momentum-resolved RIXS makes it possible to explore the elementary excitations associated with the underlying order parameters.

Work duties
The main duties 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.

This is a joint postdoctoral position between the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research and the Bloch and Veritas beamlines at MAX-IV.  You will be employed by the Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research, and be based primarily at MAX-IV.  The work involved will be split equally between scientific research and work on the operation and development of the Bloch and Veritas beamlines.

The scientific research will initially focus on the perovskite materials discussed above.  Over the course of the post-doctoral position, you will be encouraged and helped to build and develop your own scientific programme.  You will also have opportunities to assist in supervision of degree projects and doctoral students.

The successful candidate will be deeply involved in the operation and development of the Bloch and Veritas beamlines.  This will involve participation in the daily operation of the beamlines, including taking a share of user support, and assisting with commissioning and maintenance task.  The exact split between Bloch and Veritas will be determined in discussion with the candidate, and may vary as the project develops.  The primary technical development to be pursued will involve development of spin-resolved ARPES.

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.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

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.
• Teaching skills.

Additional assessment criteria:

Experience with angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy and/or momentum-resolved inelastic spectroscopy techniques. Experience in synchrotron radiation based experimental techniques. Experience with research into correlated electron physics. Experience with ultra-high vacuum instrumentation.

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 and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• résumé/CV, including a list of publications,
• a general description of past research and future research interests (no more than three pages),
• contact information of at least two references,
• copy of the doctoral degree certificate, and other certificates/grades that you wish to be considered.