Scientist Position on the LUCIA Beamline
Scientist Position on the LUCIA Beamline
SOLEIL Synchrotron
Saint-Aubin, France
THE LUCIA BEAMLINE
Within SOLEIL, there are 29 light lines and supporting laboratories. Among the beamlines, “LUCIA” is dedicated to X-ray micro-absorption (μXAS) and X-ray micro-fluorescence (μXRF) experiments in the so-called “soft” X-ray range (0.8-8.2 kev). It enables these two non-destructive techniques to be applied to the measurement of heterogeneous samples, to produce elemental mappings by µXRF at photon spot scale (2x2 microns), and to describe the local environment around these elements by µXAS.
A monochromatic beam is directed onto a sample placed on an x-z translation stage. First, micro-fluorescence maps are produced (possibly at different incident beam energies, taking advantage of the tunable monochromatic beam). The information obtained can be used to determine the location of elements, their relative abundance, and any other elements with which they may be associated. Regions of interest can then be selected for analysis by XAS (locally selective probe providing electronic and structural information).
The energy range offered by LUCIA allows XAS experiments at the K-edges for elements from sodium (Na) to cobalt (Co), and at the L-edges from nickel (Ni) to gadolinium (Gd), as well as at the M-edges for rare earths and actinides.
MISSION
LUCIA is a multidisciplinary beamline. In order to complement the skills of the scientists on the beamline team, the candidate is expected to develop a research topic in the field of cultural and natural heritage sciences, exploiting the specific features of the LUCIA beamline and its prospects for development in terms of supply and performance in the context of SOLEIL-II.
The candidate is expected to strengthen existing collaborations and create new ones with leading laboratories and institutes in the field of cultural and natural heritage. He/she will be able to participate actively in these research fields. He/she will participate in the development of X-ray absorption data analysis and X-ray micro-fluorescence imaging tools, implement them and support users in their implementation, in order to optimise the use of the data produced on LUCIA.
He/she will be responsible for providing a high quality support to external users. As support will be uniformly distributed among all the scientists on the line, the candidate is expected to have skills in a field complementary to those of the cultural and natural heritage sciences (physics, chemistry, environment, earth sciences).
He/she will be expected to participate in all activities linked to the operation of the beamline (maintenance, development and commissioning of new equipment, development of LUCIA_2.0) under the direction of the beamline manager. He/she will also contribute to the development of the line's capabilities in terms of sample environments.
RESEARCH PROFILE
The candidate should have a PhD, solid expertise in one of the disciplines covered by the LUCIA beamline, and at least 3 years' post-doctoral experience. He/she should have research experience exploiting X-ray absorption spectroscopy and its combination with X-ray fluorescence imaging. He/she should have a strong interest in scientific instrumentation. Post-doctoral experience on a beamline or as a beamline scientist is required.
This position requires a sense of responsibility and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The candidate should be fluent in English (written and spoken), given the diverse backgrounds of the users.
As the working language at SOLEIL is French, knowledge of the French language, or the desire to learn it, would be an advantage.
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