Postdoc (f/m/d) at Rossendorf Beamline at the ESRF

With cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, around 1,500 employees from more than 70 nations at Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) are committed to mastering the great challenges facing society today.

The Institute for Resource Ecology (IRE) conducts applied basic research into the protection of people and the environment from the effects of radioactive radiation.

The Department of Synchrotron Science is looking for a Postdoc (f/m/d).

The Rossendorf Beamline at the ESRF is operated by HZDR and supports research on actinide science and radioactive waste disposal using four experimental stations (XAFS, XES, XRD-1, XRD-2). The position is part of the EU-funded MaLaR project, which focuses on advancing the understanding of lanthanide and actinide materials and developing synchrotron-based methods for selective rare-earth recovery from nuclear and industrial waste in collaboration with six European partners (www.malar-project.eu).

Your tasks

• Providing support during user operation at the XES station (dedicated to high-energy-resolution X-ray Spectroscopy) and coordination with the assigned local contact
• Performing your own experiments at ROBL at XRD and XES stations
• Analyzing experimental data with quantum mechanical software, with particular focus to calculations using Quanty, ORCA, FDMNES
• Collaborating in the maintenance and development of the XES and XRD stations (you will work in close collaboration with scientists and engineers at ROBL)
• Collaborating with support groups at ESRF, including mechanical, electronic, and detector teams, to accomplish the tasks
• Actively contribute to ongoing research within the MaLaR consortium
• Ensure efficient data collection and data processing, particularly at the XES and XRD stations
• Acting as local contact for MaLaR's partners and users, providing them necessary support
• Responsible for coordinating and implementing technical advances on the beamline

Your profile

• Completed PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Engineering, or a related field
• Substantial experience with synchrotron-based experiments (proven by relevant publications as a first/corresponding author)
• Solid experience in analysisng X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction data using quantum mechanical methods
• Basic understanding of the alignment of synchrotron optics and the operation of an experimental station
• Strong problem-solving skills to identify and address issues that may prevent beamline operation
• Excellent organizational and communication abilities
• Capability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Proven programming skills (by relevant publications as a first/corresponding author)
• Proficiency in English, as it is the working language at the ESRF

Our offer

• A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment
• Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities
• Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)
• Depending on the personal qualifications, the candidate may be classified in salary group 13 according to TVöD-Bund
• We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours
• Numerous company health management offerings
• Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits

We look forward to receiving your application documents (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.), which you can submit via our online-application-system.