Post-doctoral fellow in 4D X-ray imaging with machine learning - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Subject description
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: http://www.nano.lu.se/pablo.villanueva

Work duties
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) has opened a whole new spectrum of applications due to their unprecedented brilliance. This project aims to develop a novel X-ray imaging method, christened X-ray multi-projection imaging (XMPI), capable of filming processes in 3D, with temporal resolution several orders of magnitude faster than up-to-date 3D X-ray imaging techniques.

In particular, the candidate will work on the development of novel deep-learning reconstruction algorithms to retrieve 3D movies acquired using XMPI. This development implies merging state-of-the-art deep-learning approaches with physical knowledge of the studied processes and X-ray imaging formation.

The developed algorithms will be tested and commissioned in different synchrotron radiation facilities: MAX IV (Sweden), ESRF (France), SLS (Switzerland), PETRA III (Germany), and possibly other international synchrotron facilities. In parallel, it will also be commissioned at the European XFEL in Germany.

The project is computational. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Establish new deep-learning-based algorithms to reconstruct 3D movies at rates not possible before
• Develop new image reconstruction algorithms for 4D imaging ( 3D+time), merging physical knowledge and deep-learning approaches
• Participate in developing a novel X-ray imaging technique that exploits the unique capabilities of MAX IV and the European XFEL.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society

The work will be performed in collaboration with several other researchers at international facilities, including the European XFEL. Furthermore, the candidate is expected to interact with PhD students and master’s students within the Division and research group.

The candidate will have significant freedom and is expected to take the initiative and drive the project quite independently.

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral posistion 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.

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 date of employment decision. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• The subject of the doctoral degree should be Physics, Computer Science, or equivalent.

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 in machine learning
• Experience in image reconstruction, specifically in 3D and 4D.
• Experience in imaging
• Experience with programming and using version control software

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 3 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 and OFR/S, dated 1st February 2022.

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 relevant 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. In case of not have the PhD degree by the time of the application, please provide the tentative defense date.