BatMAX PostDoc at MAX IV (NanoCT)

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked as one of the world's leading academic institutions. It has approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our endeavor to understand, explain, and improve our world and people's conditions.

Your teams

The project is a collaboration between MAX IV (specifically the DanMAX beamline), the BatMAX hub, and Chalmers University of Technology. The position is an exciting opportunity for a candidate who wants to work in an environment characterized by close collaboration between many closely interconnected teams.

DanMAX, which is part of the Hard X-ray Group at MAX IV, is a beamline within materials science specializing in X-ray diffraction and full-field imaging techniques. The beamline has a broad user group, ranging from physics and chemistry to medical science. A significant part of the user base conducts research on batteries and battery materials.

This postdoctoral position in X-ray diffraction and computed tomography (XRD-CT) is attached to the Division of Solid Mechanics at Lund University. Research in solid mechanics at Lund University is particularly focused on theoretical, numerical, and experimental aspects of material mechanics. The department conducts extensive activities in the development and application of X-ray and neutron methods for materials research as well as, among other things, research to understand the coupled electrochemical-mechanical processes in solid-state batteries; the research is linked to the broader battery research community in Lund.

The Project

The project will be conducted within the BatMAX hub at MAX IV, which is a consortium consisting of four universities (Chalmers, Lund, Uppsala, and Aarhus), which will collaborate closely to address challenges related to sodium-ion batteries in the solid state through six weeks of beamtime per year distributed across six different beamlines. The BatMAX hub is linked to Battery Matrix, an internal group at MAX IV that enables collaboration across the entire laboratory within battery research. This postdoctoral position will play an active role in activities spanning several beamlines, both through the BatMAX hub and Battery Matrix.

The position is one of three postdoctoral positions attached to the BatMAX consortium, each with a different focus, connecting the university groups with MAX IV. The positions are funded through the national strategic initiative COMPEL, which aims to strengthen battery research and education in Sweden.

DanMAX has for some time offered XRD-CT experiments as part of the user program, but the methodology has not been optimized. In this project, we will optimize the scanning method, the hardware, and the analysis software to make this powerful method more accessible and usable. Recently, new diamond-CRLs have been acquired for DanMAX, which will enable a focusing of the beam to approximately 1–2 µm and thus significantly improve the possible resolution. In combination with our fast tomography stages and improved scanning sequencing, significant improvements in temporal and spatial resolution will be possible, which will enable an expansion of the application area for this type of experiment within battery research, as well as within many other research areas. The project will also include the development of algorithms for iterative reconstruction and denoising with the aim of improving the quality of the spatially resolved XRD data.

MAX IV and the BatMAX consortium are seeking a postdoc who will:

Lead the development of X-ray diffraction and computed tomography (XRD-CT) at the DanMAX beamline in close collaboration with the group for solid mechanics at LU. Participate scientifically and technically in the BatMAX project in collaboration with the consortium. Participate in MAX IV Battery Matrix, especially in projects spanning several beamlines.

Your main tasks will be to:

Work at the DanMAX beamline. More specifically, lead the development of XRD-CT, including the development of hardware, scanning algorithms, and reconstruction software. Participate in the operation of the beamline, i.e., user support, maintenance of hardware and software development, with a focus on battery research and the application of XRD-CT. Conduct experimental research utilizing XRD-CT for battery research. Participate in the BatMAX consortium, including planning of beamtimes, conducting experiments, analysis of results, and writing scientific articles.

To succeed in the role, you are required to have the following qualifications:

A PhD in chemistry, physics, engineering science, or a related field. Documented experience of X-ray imaging/diffraction techniques, e.g., XRD-CT, 3D-XRD, µ/nanoCT, STXM, or similar. Experience of computer programming for data analysis, e.g., Python. Documented ability to work both independently and in teams. Excellent knowledge of English as well as good communication and collaboration skills.

The following are considered merits:

Knowledge of tomographic reconstruction techniques. Experience of experiments at synchrotron and/or neutron sources. Experience of and a good understanding of electrochemistry, including batteries. Knowledge of solid-state and/or sodium-ion battery chemistry. Experience of user support at user facilities.

Eligibility

To be appointed to a postdoctoral position, the applicant must have a PhD or an international degree considered equivalent to a PhD within the subject area of the position, and this degree must have been awarded no more than three years before the application deadline. Under special circumstances, the PhD may have been awarded before the aforementioned three years.

For the advertisement in its entirety and the application, visit: https://lu.varbi.com/se/what:job/jobID:943545/