BatMAX PostDoc at MAX IV (XRD-CT) Full-time

BatMAX Postdoc at MAX IV (XRD-CT)

Lund University, MAX IV

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world's top universities. The University has around 46,000 students and 8,500 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

The project is a collaboration between MAX IV (specifically, the DanMAX beamline), the BatMAX hub and Lund University. The position is an exciting opportunity for a candidate looking to work in a highly collaborative environment across many closely connected teams.

The DanMAX beamline, in the Hard X-ray Group at MAX IV, is a materials science beamline specialising in X-ray diffraction and full-field imaging techniques. The beamline serves a very wide user community, spanning physics and chemistry to medical science. A significant fraction of the user base is studying batteries and battery materials.

This X-ray Diffraction – Computed Tomography (XRD-CT) postdoctoral research position is hosted by the Division of Solid Mechanics at Lund University. Research in solid mechanics at Lund University is specifically focused on theoretical, numerical and experimental aspects of the mechanics of materials. The division has strong activity in the development and exploitation of X-ray and neutron methods for materials research and in, amongst other things, research into understanding the coupled electrochemo-mechanical processes of solid-state batteries; this research is connected to the wider batteries research community in Lund.

The project will be run within the BatMAX hub at MAX IV, which is a consortium of 4 universities (Chalmers, Lund, Uppsala and Aarhus) and MAX IV that will closely collaborate to tackle challenges associated with Na-ion solid state batteries through 6 weeks of beamtime per year across 6 different beamlines. The BatMAX hub links to the Battery Matrix, an internal group at MAX IV to enable lab-wide collaboration on the topic of battery research. This postdoctoral researcher position will play an active role in cross-beamline activities through both the BatMAX Hub and the Battery Matrix.

This position is one of three postdocs linked to the BatMAX consortium, each with a different speciality, that links the university groups to MAX IV. The positions are funded through the COMPEL national strategic initiative, which aims to strengthen battery research and education in Sweden.

DanMAX has, for some time, offered XRD-CT experiments as part of the user program but the methodology has not been optimised. In this project, we will optimise the scanning method, the hardware and the analysis software to make this powerful method more accessible and applicable. Recently, new diamond CRLs were procured for DanMAX, which will allow focusing of the beam to approximately 1-2 µm, thus, significantly improving the possible resolution. Combined with our fast tomography stages and better scan sequencing, significant improvements to the temporal and spatial resolution will be possible and will enable expansion of the applicability of this type of experiment for battery science, as well as for many other research domains. This project will also include the development of iterative reconstruction and noise suppression algorithms towards improving the quality of the spatially resolved XRD data.

MAX IV and the BatMAX consortium are looking for a postdoc who will:

• Lead development of the X-ray diffraction – computed tomography (XRD-CT) at the DanMAX beamline in close collaboration with the solid mechanics group at LU.
• Participate scientifically and technically in the BatMAX project in collaboration with the consortium.
• Participate in the MAXIV Battery Matrix, specifically working on cross-beamline projects.

Your main work tasks will be to:

• Work at the DanMAX beamline. Specifically, leading the development of XRD-CT, including development of hardware, scanning algorithms and reconstruction software.
• Participate in the operation of the beamline, i.e. user support, maintenance of hardware and software development, with a focus towards battery research and the application of XRD-CT.
• Develop experimental research exploiting XRD-CT for battery research.
• Participate in the BatMAX consortium, including planning beamtimes, conducting experiments, analysing results and writing scientific articles.

To qualify for this role, you need to have the following qualifications/experience:

• Have a PhD in chemistry, physics, engineering or a closely related subject.
• Proven experience with X-ray imaging/diffraction techniques, e.g. XRD-CT, 3D-XRD, µ/nanoCT, STXM or similar.
• Experience in computer programming for data analysis, e.g. Python.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent command of the English language plus good communication and teamwork skills.

The following are seen as merits:

• Knowledge in tomographic reconstruction techniques.
• Experience with experiments at synchrotron and/or neutron sources.
• Experience and a good understanding of electrochemistry, including batteries.
• Knowledge of solid-state and/or Na-ion battery chemistries.
• Experience in user support at user facilities.

Appointment to the position of postdoc requires that the applicant has a PhD or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the application deadline. Under special circumstances the PhD can have been completed before the aforementioned three years.

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment. A postdoctoral fellow is employed under a period of at least two years and at most three years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor-2022-02-01” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow, 2022-02-01”). We ask that you answer the selection questions as part of your application.

When you join our MAX IV team, you enter a world of cutting-edge 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 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!