PhD position : European XFEL and Soleil

Situated at the heart of the Paris-Saclay cluster, approximately 20 km from Paris, SOLEIL is the French national synchrotron radiation source. In this large research infrastructure, the scientific experiments exploit the light from synchrotron radiation from the infrared to hard X-rays. Since 2008, SOLEIL has been serving many research fields in physics, biology and chemistry with applications in Materials Science, Structural Biology, Pharmaceuticals, Environmental & Earth Sciences and Cultural Heritage. SOLEIL, overseen by the CNRS and the CEA, provides its personnel with a multidisciplinary and internationally renowned working environment.

European XFEL is an international non-profit company located in the Hamburg area in Germany. It operates a 3.4 km-long X-ray laser, which produces X-rays of unique quality for studies in physics, chemistry, life sciences, materials research and other disciplines. The diverse scientific facilities at European XFEL enable scientists from across the globe to carry out a wide range of experimental techniques.

Soleil is an international scientific organization and user facility supported by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) as a venue for the dissemination of science. Soleil has 29 beamlines including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray diffraction, imaging, etc., as well as a variety of auxiliary laboratories including chemical, biological, high pressure and surface labs, providing a variety of methods for sample preparation and characterization.

The Femtosecond X-ray Experiments (FXE) instrument of the European XFEL and the ODE beamline at Soliel Synchrotron are looking for a joint Ph.D. candidate to study the structural dynamics of bimetallic complexes in homogeneous photocatalysis using time-resolved X-ray techniques

Your tasks

• Synthesize bimetallic complexes for time-resolved X-ray studies to understand their photocatalytic reaction mechanisms
• Actively participate in preparation of competitive research proposals for conducting experiments at large scale X-ray facilities worldwide 
• Perform time-resolved XAS and X-ray scattering measurements in solutions phase and analyze experimental data
• Publish results in international leading scientific journals, disseminate results at international conferences

Your profile

• University degree in Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering or Materials Science
• Experience in synthetic chemistry or strong motivation to learn synthesis of bimetallic complexes
• Experience in photochemistry, photophysics and knowledge of X-ray techniques
• Good programming skills for scientific data analysis using a scripting language e.g. Python or Matlab is considered an asset
• Experience with ultrafast lasers and femtosecond pump-probe methods is considered an asset
• Well-developed communication skills and good command of English language (spoken & written)

We offer

The PhD candidate is co-funded by European XFEL and Soleil Synchrotron. The Ph.D candidate will be hosted and employed by Soleil Synchrotron and inscribe in the doctoral school of University Paris-Saclay, earning a PhD degree from the University Paris-Saclay. The candidate will be required to complete the necessary courses at the University of Paris-Saclay, and travel frequently between Soleil Synchrotron at Saint-Aubin and European XFEL at Hamburg to conduct experiments.

Soleil provides the infrastructure and technology for students to complete sample preparation, characterization, set up different sample environments, and learn data analysis. At Soleil, students' knowledge is enriched and their horizons broadened by weekly group meetings and discussions on sustainable energy development, advanced materials, earth, ocean and planetary sciences, cultural heritage, specialized XAS workshops, and more. The student will learn to present his research at Soleil’s group meetings and other conferences. The student will learn to establish collaboration with different beamlines at Soleil to characterize materials with different techniques.

As a PhD student at European XFEL, you will be part of a dynamic, international and multicultural team of scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative; Participate in the advancement of cutting-edge science and technology, engage in our international network, and shape your life according to trust-based flexible working hours and telecommuting options. Experience our atmosphere of tolerance and respect. The European XFEL PhD program goes far beyond classical PhD studies. You will have the opportunity to improve your professional, personal and methodological skills and build a solid foundation for your scientific career. For more information visit https://www.xfel.eu/careers/phd_programme/index_eng.html.

The term of your employment contract with Soleil Synchrotron is 3 years.

For further information, please contact Dr. Dmitry Khakhulin <dmitry.khakhulin@xfel.eu> or Qingyu Kong <Qingyu.kong@synchrotron-soleil.fr>

Please submit your application online by  (including addresses of referees)