Post-doctoral fellow in physical chemistry with focus on the small-angle neutron scattering beamline at ESS - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The project is a collaboration between the Division of Physical Chemistry at Lund University and the Neutron Instruments Division at the European Spallation Source (ESS), which is responsible for the design, construction and operation of ESS's neutron instruments.

The Division of Physical Chemistry, part of the Department of Chemistry within the Faculty of Science, performs experimental and theoretical research within the area of soft matter and colloid and interface science, involving both synthetic and biological systems. A number of different experimental techniques are available within the division, where scattering methods are particularly important and organized within the Center for Scattering Methods (CSM). The ESS and the synchrotron light source MAX IV, as key large-scale facilities for neutron and X-ray scattering, significantly contribute to the scientific life of Lund, and their close proximity has the potential to strengthen the role of the division as an internationally leading centre of excellence in soft matter research. The division therefore has strong ambitions to be actively involved, through close collaborations and projects, with both facilities. The division has also a strong active engagement in the LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science, and also in NanoLund, the Lund University centre for nanoscience.

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC), a multidisciplinary research facility based on the world's most powerful neutron source. ESS is under construction on the outskirts of Lund and will provide unique opportunities to both greatly surpass and complement today's leading neutron sources, enabling new opportunities for researchers across the entire spectrum of scientific discoveries, including materials and life sciences, energy, environmental technology, cultural heritage and basic physics. LOKI is one of two small-angle neutron scattering instruments in the first phase of instrument construction at ESS and will be one of the first instruments to come online after Beam on Target (BoT), currently scheduled for June 2025. After an estimated 18 months from BoT, the LOKI instrument will then be one of the first instruments to enter the user program with external users. LOKI has been designed specifically with needs of the materials science, soft matter and bioscience communities in mind.

Subject description

The position involves developing and supporting research activities related to the LOKI beamline at ESS, including participation in the development and commissioning of the LOKI beamline as well as carrying out own research involving small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and possibly also X-ray scattering (SAXS), on, ideally, biomolecular systems.

Work duties

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.

The main initial task will be to support the completion of the LOKI beamline installation before assisting with licensing and “Cold Commissioning”. You will then focus on performing “Hot Commissioning” experiments with neutrons to fully characterize the instrument's performance and ensure successful functionality of the instrument for the user program. It is also expected that you will design and participate in experiments at other international neutron facilities to test relevant equipment and data analysis routines as well as for your own or collaborative research leading to "First Science" experiments at ESS.

The selected candidate will work closely with the LOKI Instrument Scientist, the LOKI Instrument Assistant, the LOKI Data Scientist and the other researchers at ESS as well as researchers at the Division of Physical Chemistry. It is expected that the candidate will develop their own research involving neutron scattering techniques, both curiosity-driven and with a view to developing LOKI’s beamline capabilities. This research will take place in collaboration with researchers at ESS and in the Division of Physical Chemistry, specifically in the areas of soft and/or biological matter.

Participation in the activities of the Division of Physical Chemistry is encouraged, including research and teaching, e.g. supervision at basic level, advanced level and postgraduate level, as well as specialized training in the subject. The duties also include actively participating in interaction with external stakeholders, both within and outside academia and ESS in order to strengthen and develop external collaborations. Involvement in the international small-angle scattering community is expected, e.g. through presentations at conferences/workshops and experiments at other facilities.

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.

The candidate should have at least three years of experience using large-scale neutron research facilities, as well as a keen interest in instrumentation development and experimentation. The applicant must be able to express themself well in English (both in writing and orally). Understanding Swedish is an advantage, but not necessary.

Additional must requirements:

• The candidate should have at least three years of experience using large-scale neutron research facilities, as well as a keen interest in instrumentation development and experimentation
• Documented experience and competence of all aspects of small-angle neutron scattering, from planning and designing experiments, to data collection, reduction and analysis.
• Good knowledge of biological scattering set-ups including sample preparation and size-exclusion chromatography
• Good communication skills including very good knowledge of English, in speech and writing
• The ability to work both independently and in a team is of great importance.
• Competence in programming (python, C++ or similar)

Additional desirable experience:

• Operation and development of neutron instrumentation and instrument control;
• Operation and development of in-situ experiments with neutron scattering;
• Complementary experience from and competence in small-angle X-ray scattering

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
• Experience of using large-scale neutron research facilities
• Competence in small-angle neutron scattering
• Knowledge of biological scattering set-ups
• Good communication skills
• The ability to work both independently and in a team
• Competence in programming
• Additional desirable experience as described above

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:

• A cover letter describing your suitability and motivation for applying for the position
• 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