CXI Postdoc at SoftMAX

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has around 44 000 students and more than 8 000 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.


Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.




About SoftiMAX
SoftiMAX is a soft X-ray imaging beamline (275 – 2500 eV) designed to take advantage of MAX IV’s exceptionally low emittance and the resulting coherence properties of the X-ray beam.

Available techniques on the first branch (STXM) include Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy, ptychography, and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) imaging - it started (expert) user operation in 2021. The second branch (CXI) will host several coherent x-ray imaging and scattering techniques compatible with a 20 x 20 µm2 focused beam, like holography and soft X-ray XPCS. The branch itself will be finished during 2022, with the end-station currently in a conceptual design phase.



Would you like to work at the brightest lightsource in the world?

The successful candidate will join the team at SoftiMAX and focus their efforts on designing and defining coherent x-ray imaging experiments & concepts of the CXI branch. This will involve beamline x-ray-tracing as well as simulation calculations of experiments, where coherence is an essential ingredient. Discussions with external experts and participation in relevant experiments is encouraged. The candidate will also have a chance to conduct measurements and commissioning activities at the STXM branch, plus later the CXI branch, and develop collaborations with other beamline staff, method experts, and external expert users in both academia and industry. The acquired knowledge will then form the basis for the design of the CXI endstation(s), involving the whole SoftiMAX team and several resource groups in/outside MAX IV.

To summarize, we are looking for a creative and motivated person, who can recognize and showcase the coherence excellence of the SoftiMAX beamline with new science or method, and channel their efforts towards generating first class output and focus the design for an endstation.

To be successful in this role you need to have the following qualifications

- PhD in a relevant field of the Natural Sciences (e.g. Physics, Chemistry, Nanoscience, etc.)
- Demonstrated experience in synchrotron-related techniques where coherence is a main factor
- Demonstrated experience in coherent X-ray data analysis and mathematical prowess
- Scientific computer programming skills, preferably in Python or C++, experience with parallel computing and large-scale data processing
- Demonstrated ability to interact with scientists and technical staff in a dynamic environment
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken)

Below are seen as merits

- Experience of working with other techniques for nanoscale characterization & sample preparation (SEM/TEM, STM, FIB, microtomy, etc.)
- Technical skills in the areas of vacuum; electronics; (piezo)motor control; and/or X-ray detectors
- Experience in providing user support

Other qualifications that are important are independence and initiative. The work requires very good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work in an international environment.

This is initially limited to a 2-year temporary position.


What we offer
When you join our MAX IV family, you step into a world of frontier science. We make the invisible visible by supporting scientists from all over the world, generating scientific results for the benefit of society. We offer you a multicultural work environment with great opportunities for personal development and with respect for a healthy work-life balance.

Would you like to work in a challenging and supporting environment? Then join us and take the opportunity to make a real difference!

For further information, please visit:
https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-lund-university/work-lund-university www.sweden.se https://www.maxiv.lu.se/about-us/careerjobs/comp_and_benefits/
https://sweden.se
https://www.maxiv.lu.se/about-us/careerjobs/comp_and_benefits/

https://www.maxiv.lu.se/accelerators-beamlines/beamlines/softimax/

The employment is limited by an agreement, (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a postdoctoral researcher”) between SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, from 19.11.2021. See detailed information about employment at LU here: https://www.staff.lu.se/employment.

On call services may apply in the future.



MAX IV is a Swedish national large-scale research laboratory hosted by Lund University. It provides scientists from Sweden as well as internationally, with state-of-the-art instrumentation for research in areas such as engineering, physics, structural biology, chemistry and nanotechnology. Fully developed it will receive more than 2 000 scientists annually, conducting ground-breaking experiments in materials and life sciences using the brilliant X-ray light.

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