Academic technical position - SCS Crystallographer

We are seeking a candidate skilled in single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) for a two-year position in the field of materials science at the SINCRYS beamline at the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden.

SINCRYS is currently under construction and is scheduled to receive first light in the beginning of 2026. The instrument is tailored toward SCXRD experiments on small unit-cells commonly found in organic molecules, inorganic materials and hybrid organic-inorganic compounds. The instrument focuses on high-throuput standard structure analysis, however, it is designed flexible to be home to more sophisticated experiments. Accordingly, planning, preparing and supporting of user experiments will become an integral part.

SINCRYS will form the base frame for the Scandinavian Crystallography Service (SCS), a one-stop-shop for mail-in/remote service crystallography. The successful candidate will be the main SCS crystallographer. SCXRD data collection and processing will be one of the main tasks. The SCS targets a broad user community, especially research groups and industries not yet familiar with synchrotron light sources or single-crystal diffraction. The position will include traveling to disseminate the service and providing help and guidance to users, primarily in Scandinavian countries.

In the first year(s), while SINCRYS is under construction, the crystallographer will participate in installing, commissioning and testing the instrument. After an initial period, it is anticipated that the SCS will continue to be self-sustaining as all revenue generated at SINCRYS will be re-invested into its personel and the instrument. Depending on the performance of the SCS, the position may be converted to a permanent employment.

The SINCRYS project is headed by Aarhus University and is performed in close collaboration with the MAX IV, a Swedish national laboratory hosted by Lund University. The position is hosted and managed by Aarhus University, Denmark, but the location of work is at the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden.

Work duties

In the early phase the SCS Crystallographer will, in collaboration with the project manager:

• Start the Scandinavian Crystallography Service
• Travel in Scandinavia to advertise for the SCS
• Measure SCXRD data on samples using the BioMAX and MicroMAX beamlines
• Participate in constructing, commissioning and testing of SINCRYS
• Prepare test samples for scientific commissioning
• Assist in developing the SINCRYS instrument documentation

• Develop new methods for materials crystallography
• Program and establish analytic tools to assess data quality
• Support both the SCS and the general user program at SINCRYS
• Travel in Scandinavia to advertise for the SCS

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have:

• A PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. chemistry, physics, materials science, crystallography)
• Experience in chemical/materials crystallography (e.g. small unit-cell systems)
• Expert knowledge of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD)
• Competence in SCXRD data processing
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English

Assessment criteria and other qualifications

• Experience in the python programming language
• Experience in mounting micro-crystals

Place of work

The place of work is Fotongatan 2, 224 84 Lund, Sweden in the MAX IV Laboratory.

Further information

For further information please contact: Lennard Krause, phone +45 71604837, mail lennard.krausemaxiv.lu.se

Formalities and salary range

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

The application must be submitted via Aarhus University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aarhus University's website.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is an academically diverse and research-intensive university with a strong commitment to high-quality research and education and the development of society nationally and globally. The university offers an inspiring research and teaching environment to its 38,000 students (FTEs) and 8,300 employees, and has an annual revenues of EUR 935 million. Learn more at www.international.au.dk/