Beamline Scientist for NANOSCOPIUM

SOLEIL is the French national synchrotron facility, located on the Saclay plateau near Paris, and a partner of the University of Paris-Saclay. It is both a multidisciplinary research instrument and a laboratory, whose mission is to exploit synchrotron radiation, develop cutting-edge instrumentation on its beamlines, and make these resources available to the scientific community. SOLEIL, a unique tool for both academic research and industrial applications, is used by more than 4000 French and international researchers across a wide range of disciplines, including physics, biology, chemistry, materials science, environmental and earth sciences, among others. It operates a third-generation synchrotron source at the forefront of technology, excelling in both brilliance and stability. SOLEIL is a research infrastructure jointly founded by the CNRS and CEA, employing around 450 staff.

NANOSCOPIUM is an innovative beamline at SOLEIL due to its most technical complexity necessary to offer state-of-the-art multimodal and multiscale hard X-ray scanning imaging, spanning spatial resolutions from tens of nanometers to the micrometer scale. This advanced imaging technique, enabling high-resolution mapping of samples, is experiencing rapid international growth. Indeed, hard X-ray nano-imaging is the focus of numerous ambitious research and development programs worldwide and represents a flagship technique within the upgrade roadmaps of many synchrotron facilities, including SOLEIL. Beyond the design of such instrument, its reliable operation and the maintenance its competitive, high analytical performance represent major challenges.

The high-performance experimental stations of NANOSCOPIUM currently meet the growing demand of a diverse national and international scientific community, with applications in biology, medical sciences, geology, paleogeobiology, and materials science. Robustness, stability, and user-friendly operation of such a multidisciplinary and multi-technique experimental environment are therefore essential. The NANOSCOPIUM team contributes transversally to several scientific sections at SOLEIL, covering areas such as materials science, biology and health, environmental sciences, and geosciences. More information can be found here: https://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/fr/lignes-de-lumiere/nanoscopium

We are now offering a permanent scientist position: the selected candidate will join the existing team of two permanent beamline scientists, one assistance engineer, and students/postdocs. The diversity of scientific, methodological, and instrumental topics addressed at NANOSCOPIUM makes it a stimulating workplace. For this position, we are seeking a candidate with strong interest in research in biology, enthusiasm for instrumental developments, and a strong sense of service to the scientific community.

I.Missions

As a member of the beamline team, the successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

• Maintain and further develop the experimental stations (optics and end-stations).

• Provide scientific and technical support to external users for the successful execution of their experiments.

• Pursue an independent research program.

In particular, the candidate will lead the development of a new scanning nano-imaging end-station dedicated to cryo-preserved samples, ensuring high positioning accuracy and excellent vibrational and thermal stability, enabling 2D and/or 3D imaging at high resolution (≤ 50 nm) using XRF and/or phase[1]contrast imaging.

Additionally, he.she will be:

• engaged in all aspects (scientific, technical, and methodological) of the beamline’s activities.

• encouraged to participate in SOLEIL’s Biology & Health scientific section.

• encouraged to explore microfluidic integration into the new end-station under ambient conditions.

• encouraged to develop collaborations and attract of new user communities.

• encouraged to contribute to automation of experimental workflows.

II. Qualifications & Experience

Applicants must hold a PhD (or equivalent degree) and have proven expertise in cryo-sample preparation and in the instrumental and methodological development of scanning X-ray nano-imaging.

As part of the SOLEIL II upgrade program, the candidate is expected to be highly motivated to contribute to the beamline’s upgrade and future developments.

Additional expertise in one or more of the following areas will be considered a strong asset:

• Synchrotron instrumentation and beamline operation.

• Development and application of microfluidic methods.

• Complementary preparation, imaging, and analysis techniques tailored to biological samples.

• Knowledge and experience of radiation effects on biological samples.

• Basic skills in instrumentation such as robotics, automation, or related technologies.

Responsibilities of the successful candidate include:

• Sustaining the beamline’s strong scientific attractiveness by promoting existing capabilities

and advancing scanning nano-imaging techniques for cryo-preserved samples through novel

instrumental/theoretical developments or innovative research applications.

• Developing an independent scientific research program, either autonomously or in collaboration.

• Engaging with the national and international communities, particularly in the field of cellular biology.

Additional Requirements

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory. Proficiency in French is desirable and will be considered an asset.

• The position requires both autonomy and the ability to work effectively as part of the beamline team.

• The position is based on the NANOSCOPIUM beamline, under the responsibility of the

beamline manager.

III. General conditions

Further information about this position can be obtained from: Andrea SOMOGYI (Manager of the NANOSCOPIUM beamline) – Tel. +33 (0)1 69 35 96 46 – andrea.somogyi@synchrotron-soleil.fr

IV. Benefits

• 26 days of paid vacation + up to 2 additional split days + 23 RTT (reduction of working time) days per full year of work, based on a 40-hour work week.

• Mandatory health insurance (basic plan) costs €19.35 per month for the employee (with an employer contribution of €158.92, corresponding to 90% of the premium), covering household members (spouse/partner + children).

• We also offer an optional supplementary health plan for €26.69 per month covering your household (spouse/partner + children).
• Access to a provident scheme that supplements the benefits of the mandatory French Social Security system, which are often insufficient. It compensates for loss of income in case of inability to work, ensuring the standard of living of the insured and their family in difficult circumstances: death, incapacity for work, or disability resulting from illness or accident.
• Possibility to open a Time Savings Account (CET) after one year of seniority.
• On-site corporate catering at SOLEIL, with subsidized meals.
• Family-related benefits depending on individual situations: family allowance supplement, additional days off under certain circumstances, marriage and birth bonuses, etc.
• Social and cultural activities offered by SOLEIL’s Social and Economic Committee (CSE).