Temporary Scientist (1 year) Balder Beamline

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 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.




This project is framed in the exploration of new catalytic materials, their molecular function and ways to use them for environmental protection and chemical production without putting planetary boundaries for sustainability at risk.

New catalytic materials - as synthesized at Chalmers University- will be studied with in-operando
combined spectroscopic and scattering methods in controlled environments. While X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) reveals information about the chemical and electronic structure of the catalyst, simultaneously performed X-ray diffraction (XRD) will be used to investigate structural changes during catalytic reactions. Inherently combining XAS and XRD will further enable site selective investigations of the active catalytic site of the material.

MAX IV is now looking for a temporary scientist for 1 year on combined in-situ X-ray diffraction and X-ray absorption spectroscopy to continue the development of a new in-situ setup and data acquisition scheme for simultaneous XAS and XRD, as well as for its application to real-time in-situ investigations. The successful candidate will develop and conduct combined XAS/XRD experiments for catalyst samples, optimizing the setup in terms of real-time time-resolution to enable investigations of quick processes with sub-second time-resolution. The scientist is further expected to develop diffraction anomalous fine structure (DAFS).

We offer a focused project within the cutting edge field of real-time in-situ material research at one of the most advanced synchrotrons. The applicant will work on an inter-disciplinary project together with experts in the fields of in-situ X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and catalysis material research. There is a high potential for high impact publication of project results and research career development.

To be successful in this role you need to have the following qualifications
• The appointment as a scientist 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.
• The applicant should have a profound knowledge of synchrotron X-ray diffraction and hard X-ray spectroscopy, which should be demonstrated within their scientific publications.
• She/he should preferably have specific experience of the set-up, data reduction and evaluation of synchrotron-based X-ray diffraction and hard X-ray spectroscopy experiments.
• She/he should have experience of developing DAFS measurements.
• She/he should have experience of supporting users in the measurements at a synchrotron.
 • She/he should have a demonstrated ability to work independently. An excellent command of spoken and written English, well-developed communication skills and team working skills are required.

The project will require multi- and interdisciplinary collaborations within MAX IV, thus, an interest in working in a multi-disciplinary area of research will be required.

The following qualifications are considered as merits
• Experience with 2D X-ray diffraction
• Experience with real-time in-situ studies
• Experience with anomalous scattering or diffraction anomalous fine structure (DAFS)
• Experience in catalysis material research
• Experience in the operation of a beamline
• Background in programming of data handling and reduction, preferably Python
• Background in designing and building and commissioning of novel equipment
• Experience in CAD-based design

What we offer
When you join our MAX IV team, you step into a world of front edge science. We make the invisible visible by supporting scientist 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 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
http://www.sweden.se
https://www.maxiv.lu.se/about-us/careers/compensation-benefits/

Work out of hours and travel may be required in this position.

On call services may apply.



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. It will receive up to 2 000 scientists annually, conducting ground-breaking experiments in materials and life sciences using the brilliant X-ray light.

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