Post-doc (f/m) on beamline ID10-SURF in the X-ray Diffraction and Scattering Group

The European Synchrotron, the ESRF, is an international research centre based in Grenoble, France.

Through its innovative engineering, pioneering scientific vision and a strong commitment from its 700 staff members, the ESRF is recognised as one of the top research facilities worldwide. Its particle accelerator produces intense X-ray beams that are used by thousands of scientists each year for experiments in diverse fields such as biology, medicine, environmental sciences, cultural heritage, materials science, and physics.

Supported by 19 countries, the ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity.

You will participate in the operation of the beamline and its ongoing in-house research programmes, provide support to external users as local contact, and develop your own research programme focused on the interactions between biological membrane mimics at liquid interfaces and macromolecules (including polymers and proteins), using X-ray surface scattering techniques. Together with the beamline scientists, you will contribute to developing advanced, chemically and physically consistent data analysis strategies for surface X-ray scattering data, as well as sample cells specific to the beamline.

The ID10 surface scattering station is dedicated to studies of hard and soft condensed matter surfaces and interfaces using X-ray reflectivity (XRR), grazing incidence WAXS and SAXS, and complementary methods such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES). A key feature of the station is the double crystal deflector (DCD), enabling studies of liquid surfaces including buried interfaces. The beamline is equipped with a range of sample environments, including a Langmuir trough and a reactor for chemical vapour deposition (CVD) growth of 2D materials on liquid metal catalysts (LMCat). Current in-house research topics include Langmuir films mimicking cell membranes, the assembly of nanoparticles at liquid interfaces, and catalysis (CVD growth of 2D materials on LMCat, and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis).

For further information, please contact Dr. Oleg Konovalov ([email protected]).

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related field, obtained within the last 3 years.
• Strong aptitude for instrumentation and data analysis.
• Knowledge of research topics relevant to surface science, liquid surfaces, soft matter, or solid-state physics.
• Experience applying scattering techniques (X-ray or neutron) to soft matter or related systems; basic knowledge of scattering data modelling is essential.
• Data analysis skills and programming experience in Python or MATLAB.
• Ability to work effectively with multi-disciplinary staff and facility users.

Contract of 18 months, renewable for a further 6 to 18-month period.

Do you recognize yourself in this description? Apply now for your next professional adventure!

What we offer:

• Join an innovative international research institute, with a workforce from 38 different countries
• Collaborate with global experts to advance science and address societal challenges
• Come and live in a vibrant city, in the heart of the Alps, and Europe's Green Capital 2022
• Enjoy a workplace designed to support your quality of life
• Benefit from our competitive compensation and allowances package, including financial support for your relocation to Grenoble For further information on employment terms and conditions, please refer to https://www.esrf.fr/home/Jobs/what-we-offer.html

The ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from disabled persons.