BEAMLINE scientist for SEXTANTS (m/f) - Permanent Contract

SOLEIL synchrotron, inaugurated on December 18, 2006, brings together the whole of the French and international scientific community. It required five years to bring this very high-tech equipment, installed on the Saclay plateau at the heart of a very high-level scientific environment, up to date. Now, it's open to users, researchers in various disciplines used the highest-performing techniques to gain access to the geometry of the material, as well as its chemical, magnetic, and electric properties.

Sextants is an undulator beamline covering the 50-1500 eV energy range with variable polarization. The beamline opened for experiments in 2011. The monochromator feeds two independent branches, one dedicated to elastic (magnetic, coherent) X-ray scattering experiments, the other to resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS) experiments.
 
Areas of interest involve static and dynamic magnetic properties of solids, surfaces and thin films, electronic and magnetic properties in strongly correlated compounds.
 
Three main techniques will be developed at the beamline:
 
1. High-resolution RIXS. The beamline is equipped with a new high resolution spectrometer developed jointly by the Laboratoire de Chimie-Physique Matière et Rayonnement (Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris 6) and SOLEIL. The spectrometer is already operational, although not fully commissioned yet. Soft X-ray RIXS experiments will concentrate mainly on the study of the electronic and magnetic properties of highly correlated materials (e.g., transition metal and rare-earth compounds).
 
2. Resonant elastic scattering of polarized X-rays (specular reflectivity, diffraction, diffuse scattering) for which two different reflectometers will be available. The scientific activity will be focused on the investigation of the magnetic properties of nanostructured magnetic objects (e.g., multilayers, arrays of nanodots, etc.).
 
3. Imaging via coherent X-ray scattering and Fourier transform holography (FTH). We are developing new tools for x-ray microscopy techniques based on coherent scattering, working in both transmission and reflection geometries. In addition to FTH, we plan implementing phase retrieval microscopy, ptychography and lensless microscopy with curved wave fronts.

The researcher will take part in the development and general operation of the beamline, under the responsibility of the beamline manager. His/her activity will concern mainly the development and maintenance of the RIXS experimental set-up at the highest level for the user community. This will imply not only technical support, but also promoting RIXS activity through the development of innovating research.
 
The beamline scientist will develop his/her own personal research program, mainly in the field of condensed matter physics and/or chemistry, taking advantage of the performance of the instruments implemented on the beamline. This activity will include collaborations with external groups, personal in-house research, as well as experimental activity at other facilities

The candidate should hold a PhD or equivalent degree in areas such as condensed matter Physics, Materials Science or a related discipline, followed by a post-doc of at least 18 months.
 
Qualifications for the job:
 
• Direct experience in elastic and inelastic X-ray scattering techniques and/or in the use of synchrotron radiation sources.
• Proven capability in designing and developing complex experimental equipment.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing the activity at shared experimental facilities.
 
The candidate should be fluent in English.

This offer corresponds to a post in indefinite duration. The remuneration will be based on the SOLEIL salary scale, and determined according to the professional background, qualifications and degrees held by the candidate.
 
The place of work will be at Synchrotron SOLEIL, which is located in the Paris suburbs (Saint-Aubin).

For more information, please contact: nicolas.jaouen@synchrotron-soleil.fr
 
Applications should include a motivation letter and Curriculum Vitae. Applications should be preferably registered directly on the:
 
http://candidature.synchrotron-soleil.fr/VotreCandidature/ avec la référence : EXP-017