CRISTAL Beamline Scientist

Located on the Paris-Saclay plateau, about 20 kilometers from the French capital, the SOLEIL synchrotron is one of France’s leading research infrastructures. Since entering operation in 2008, it has served both national and international scientific communities. Research conducted at SOLEIL spans a wide range of scientific and industrial fields (physics, biology, chemistry, materials science, environmental science, Earth sciences, and cultural and natural heritage), addressing major societal challenges. Experiments carried out on the beamlines rely on the use of synchrotron light produced by electrons accelerated to speeds close to that of light within a storage ring. SOLEIL operates under the joint supervision of the CNRS and the CEA, and offers its staff a dynamic, innovative, multidisciplinary, and international working environment.

At the forefront of technology, SOLEIL II is an ambitious project designed to provide new opportunities for scientific and industrial research. SOLEIL II consists of a major upgrade of the existing infrastructure and aims to significantly improve the performance of the electron accelerators and beamlines. It is designed to address current and future societal challenges, particularly in areas such as advanced materials research, energy and sustainable development, health and well-being, and the environment. Construction work for the SOLEIL II project began in 2024, marking the start of a new phase of development and technological innovation. At the same time, operation of the existing facility is expected to continue until autumn 2028. The commissioning of SOLEIL II is scheduled for 2030, followed by a gradual ramp-up phase extending through 2035.ne 2028. Le démarrage de SOLEIL II est programmé pour 2030, avec une montée en puissance progressive jusqu'en 2035.

Mission

The CRISTAL beamline is a hard X-ray (5-30 keV) undulator-based beamline, dedicated to Xray diffraction for the characterization of the structural properties of mater at different space and time scales, possibly in non-ambient conditions. Among “classical diffraction techniques” like single crystal and powder diffraction, other state of the art techniques are offered (high-resolution, time-resolved and coherent diffraction). 

See https://www.synchrotron-soleil.fr/en/beamlines/cristal.

The CRISTAL beamline serves a wide variety of communities covering a broad range of  disciplines: physic, chemistry, biology, materials sciences, earth sciences… A permanent position is currently offered: the successful candidate will join the current team  consisting of 2 permanent beamline scientists, a technician, 2 PhD students and a postdoc. The variety of subjects that can be studied at CRISTAL makes it a very stimulating beamline  to work on.

As a beamline team member, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following main tasks:

  • Maintenance and development of the experimental set-ups (beamline and  experimental end-stations) and more particularly develop x-ray diffraction based  imaging techniques, using sub-micron beams and coherent beams, provide scientific and technical assistance to external users to help them carry out  their own experiments, conduct its own research program.
  • He.she will be encouraged to develop collaborations and attract new users.
  • He.she will actively participate in user support activities and will be involved in all  aspects (scientific, technical, and methodological) of the beamline team's activities.

The successful candidate will also play a full part of the upgrade project of the beamline in  the context of SOLEIL II (i.e. upgrade of the current facility to the brightest generation of  synchrotron sources).

The responsibilities of this beamline scientist will also include:

  1. Maintain the high level of attractiveness of the beamline, by promoting the existing  instrumental set-ups and in particular the diffraction imaging techniques, proposing  new instrumental or theoretical developments or new research fields.
  2. Communicate with the national and international x-ray diffraction communities.

Profile

To qualify, applicants must hold a Ph.D. or equivalent, and a significant experience in x-ray  diffraction.

The following skills are mandatory :

  • Hard x-ray diffraction-based (coherent) imaging technique,
  • Good knowledge of crystallography.

In the context of the SOLEIL II upgrade project, the successful candidate must be highly  motivated to take part in the beamline upgrade project.

Complementary skills in one or more of the following areas would be a major asset :

  • Programming skills (in python)
  • Powder diffraction, single crystal diffraction and structure solution methods,
  • High pressure sciences (using diamond anvil cells),
  • Basic knowledge of instrumentation: e.g. control and acquisition  electronics/computing, detection, cryogenics, robotics, etc.

Complementary ability :

  • The candidate should be fluent in English (written and spoken).
  • Practice of French is also highly desirable and will be an asset.
  • The position requires both autonomy and the ability to work as part of the beamline  team.

General conditions

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 €174.15, 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).