Postdoc for combined spectroscopy experiments at Balder

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top 100 universities. The University has 40 000 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.


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.



Postdoc for multimodal real-time analysis of combined XAS, XRD and optical spectroscopy experiments at Balder

Background
The Balder beamline is dedicated to X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES) in the medium and hard X-ray energy range, 2.

4-40 keV. The high brilliance from the 3 GeV storage ring in combination with the beamline design allows to perform time-resolved measurements down to sub-second time resolution.
The In-situ multi-parameter Analysis Platform for Formation of Energy Materials (in-FORM) is a collaborative project of scientists from the Balder beamline of MAX IV and other groups at Lund and Uppsala Universities. With in-FORM we create a synchrotron-based in-situ platform for solution processed materials to gain insight into the formation of functional materials (e.g. Perovskites, battery electrode materials, etc.) during deposition.

We recently developed a slot-die coating and annealing instrument with atmospheric control, suitably small footprint as well as flexibility for integration into the Balder beamline.  This fully automated system is designed for high-throughput of experiments with different experimental conditions, like composition, temperatures, coating speed, etc. This system is now being commissioned and to be used for scientific projects.

For in-situ characterization, the Balder beamline offers combined in-situ multimodal measurements of X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy down to one second time resolution. In this project, we combine real-time X-ray spectroscopy (XAS/XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical spectroscopy (X-ray- /optically excited luminescence and reflection). Our aim is to capture changes in composition, structure and optoelectronic properties simultaneously and in real-time during coating and thermal annealing processes to gain a mechanistic understanding of the material formation processes.

Job description
We are now looking for a post doctoral researcher to work on new concepts for multimodal (live) data reduction and analysis to make full use of our experimental capabilities. The successful candidate will perform experiments including, but not limited to, lead and lead-free halide perovskites together with our project team and develop data reduction and analysis schemes as well as tools for a correlative evaluation of the multimodal measurements. Own project ideas for experiments utilizing the functionality of the recent built in-situ slot-die coating system are very welcome.

Depending on the background of the successful candidate, she/he will be deeply involved into the further development of either in-situ optical spectroscopy (photoluminescence, reflection and X-ray excited optical luminescence with time-resolution) or combined XAS/XRD.

Qualifications
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subjects of physics, chemistry, materials science, engineering or a related discipline, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements:

- documented experience in at least one of the following: in-situ X-ray diffraction (thin film), in-situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in-situ optical spectroscopy (UV-vis, Photoluminescence, etc)
- demonstrated experience in the programming of complex data reduction and analysis tools, including documentation of code
- demonstrated ability to work independently as well as in a team
- excellent command of spoken and written English, well-developed communication skills

The following qualifications are considered an asset:

- experience in solution processing of thin films for either photovoltaic, catalysis or battery applications
- experience in syncroton related experiments and the resulting data reduction and analysis
- experience in GUI programming and python programming language
- experience with multimodal in-situ measurements / correlative data analysis


We offer
This position offers a focused project within the cutting-edge field of real-time in-situ material research at one of the most advanced synchrotrons. The successful candidate will have the chance to shape the project and bring in new ideas for scientific applications, making full use of the experimental capabilities. The applicant will work on an inter-disciplinary project together with experts in the fields of solution processing techniques, in-situ X-ray spectroscopy and diffraction analysis as well as with experts from catalysis, photovoltaics and battery material research. There is a high potential for high impact publication of project results and research career development.
This is formally a 1 year employment. However, the project will likely be extended to a full two years project, maybe even at the day of employment.

On call services may apply in the future.

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