Postdoctoral fellow in synchroton chemical nanomapping - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description
Environmental systems are strongly determined by their microscale spatial heterogeneity and interfaces that set conditions for their microbial drivers. We are studying both these microhabitats and how they affect microbial functions using different methods, amongst which are synchrotron techniques, such as Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy and X-ray Fluorescence mapping, to visualize the chemical signatures on the nanoscale.

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated young researcher for an interdisciplinary project joining microbial ecology at the Department of Biology, with chemical mapping techniques at MAX IV Laboratory (Softi/NanoMAX beamlines), both at Lund University. The project focuses on designing and performing synchrotron experiments on complex environmental samples, such as soil and microbial metabolites, but is open to other biologically relevant systems, with the possibility to incorporate microfluidics.   

Work duties and opportunities
The main duties involved in this position are to conduct research fitting within the scope of the microbial ecology project and to contribute with developing methods, sample environments, or data pathways at the synchrotron to boost this field, depending on interest and experience of the candidate. 

As a member of the beamline team, you will learn to independently operate the beamline for your own projects, and for similar experiments to your project, and share some general tasks with the rest of the beamline staff.

The position includes the opportunity for training in higher education teaching and learning. You will have the possiblity to engage in the scholary networks BECC (environmental science) and LINXS (synchrotron techniques), and will be embedded into an interdisciplinary team.

The project is run in close collaboration with microbial ecologists (https://www.biology.lu.se/research/research-groups/microbial-ecology ; https://soilchip.wixsite.com/soilchip ) and engineers at the Department of Biomedical Engineering (http://bme.lth.se/research-pages/nanobiotechnology-and-lab-on-a-chip/).

More information on relevant beamlines can be found here: https://www.maxiv.lu.se/beamlines-accelerators/beamlines/

We hope that the cross-disciplinary environment will provide the candidate with ample possibilities to learn novel skills and methods.

Qualification requirements 
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, in a field relevant to the subject of the position. 

Specific requirements 

• Demonstrated experience in synchrotron-based imaging techniques or other relevant lab-based spectro/microscopy techniques, such as XPS, XRF, IR & Raman (micro)spectroscopy, and scattering techniques. 
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis of spectromicroscopy and/or advanced X-ray measurements, and/or complex environmental samples 
• Some experience with biological or environmental samples
• Very good proficiency in written and communicated English
• Good communication skills and the ability to work within a larger team.

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.

The following merits form assessment criteria for the position

• Documented ability to develop, carry out and complete high-quality research
• Experience in STXM and XRF imaging hold special merit
• Willingness to work flexible working hours during beamtime data acquisition
• Scientific computer programming skills, preferably in Python or C++, and experience with large scale data processing 
• High intellectual capacity and problemsolving ability
• Technical and analytical know-how, organization skills
• Enthusiasm, dedication and an ability to work both independently and embedded in a team
   

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 1st February 2022.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications shall be written in English and be compiled into a PDF-file containing:

• Motivation letter
• Résumé/CV, including date of public PhD thesis defense or equivalent, title of the thesis, previous appointments, current position, academic distinctions and special expertise
• Full list of publications
• Names, relation to and contact information of 2 professional references 
• Copy of the doctoral degree certificate