Postdoctoral position in synchrotron X-ray microtomography and 4D material analysis

Description of the workplace

The Division of Solid Mechanics was the first department established at LTH and is now part of the Department of Construction Sciences. The division operates in an international environment and has connections with research organizations and companies both nationally and internationally. Today, the Division of Solid Mechanics consists of approximately 25 employees, of which around 15 are PhD students. The work environment is open and welcoming, striving to provide each employee with the opportunity to develop personally and professionally.

The field of solid mechanics relates to methods and principles aimed at understanding and modelling the mechanics of deformable bodies. Solid mechanics is a core discipline in mechanical engineering and is of fundamental importance to many other related disciplines. The questions addressed in solid mechanics have high relevance for industrial applications in many sectors. 

Research in solid mechanics at LTH is specifically focused on constitutive mechanics, numerical methods, microstructural mechanics, structural optimization, and experimental methods. The department also has strong activity in X-ray and neutron methods for materials research.

Project description

The postdoctoral position is within the STIMULI project funded by the Swedish Research Council. The project has been established to support and develop the exploitation of tomography at the MAXIV synchrotron from planning and preparation to execution and data analysis of tomography experiments. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Solid Mechanics at Lund University and MAXIV. Synchrotron facility MAXIV (maxiv.lu.se) is a world-leading facility for materials research located in Lund. There are currently three beamlines offering X-ray tomography (NanoMax, ForMAX, and DanMAX). The project will also be part of a collaborative project "QIM" (qim.dk) (with collaboration partners MAXIV, the Technical University of Denmark and the University of Copenhagen), focusing on quantitative analysis of 3D and 4D image data, as well as the 4D Imaging Lab at Lund University.

You will carry out research and development activities relating to development of in-situ x-ray tomography experiments, 3D/4D image quantification (method development and data analysis) and experiment/data-analysis pipelines. This will involve collaboration with users of tomography at MAXIV over a variety of research areas including materials science, food science, geoscience, environmental science and energy research. You will also be encouraged to develop your own research and research collaborations exploiting or advancing x-ray tomography. 

The employment will be at the Department of Solid Mechanics at Lund University, and the work will be carried out both at the department and at MAXIV (located nearby), as needed.

Work duties

The main duties in a post-doctoral position involve conducting research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

The position will primarily involve research relating to developing X-ray tomography at MAXIV including in-situ experiments and 3D/4D image analysis (tool development and data analysis) for materials analysis. The research should be related to the exploitation/development of tomography, 3D/4D image analysis techniques or material characterisation and will be developed in collaboration with researchers at the division and MAXIV. The duties will also involve interacting and collaborating with users of tomography at MAXIV, e.g., supporting the planning, execution and analysis of experiments, supporting measurements at the 4D Imaging Lab, 3D/4D image analysis and interaction with external stakeholders (teaching, workshops), both within and outside the academia, to develop the tomography community around MAXIV.

You will be part of a dynamic, international team involved in experimental mechanics and 3D imaging at the division of Solid Mechanics. You will also be part of the strong international research environment at MAXIV and play a key role in developing the tomography user community around the facility.

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. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years before the last day for application. Under special circumstances the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Other requirements:

• very good knowledge of English, in speech and writing;
• significant practical experience in X-ray microtomography for materials research and 3D/4D image analysis;
• knowledge and experience in programming (python, Matlab or other language relevant to image analysis);
• ability to work both independently and in teams with other researchers and research groups;
• very good communication skills.

Assessment criteria 

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:

• ability to develop and carry out research of good quality;
• pedagogical ability.

Other qualifications:

The following aspects will be considered as additional merits:

• experience in research exploiting laboratory and synchrotron X-ray microtomography;
• experience with 4D (in-situ/operando) X-ray microtomography experiments;
• experience in developing 3D/4D image data analysis algorithms;
• experience using 3D image analysis software for material analysis;
• knowledge of tomographic reconstruction methods;
• experience in education/teaching;
• experience in developing external collaborations and collaborative work.

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

We offer

Lund University is a public authority, which means that employees get special benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment 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”).

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should be written in English and must include a CV with a list of publications, a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the position and how it aligns with your research qualifications. The application should also include a copy of your PhD degree or equivalent, as well as any other supporting documents you wish to submit (copies of transcrpts, contact information for references, recommendation letters, etc.).

We welcome your application!