PostDoc in Scientific Imaging Data Reduction and Compression

Scientific Data Group

You will become part of the Scientific Data Group within the technical department at MAX IV Laboratory. We develop and operate high-performance systems for data acquisition for advanced detectors as well as providing solutions for data processing, visualization, and analysis that enable researchers to quickly interpret results from experiments in X-ray scattering, imaging, and spectroscopy. Our systems regularly handle data flows of several GB/s and support large-scale scientific data workflows.

To support sustainable data management at next-generation photon science research facilities, we are now seeking a postdoc to further develop workflows for data reduction and compression of scientific data for tomography and imaging applications in collaboration with European research infrastructures.

Tasks

The rapidly growing data volumes generated by modern imaging experiments create significant challenges regarding storage, transfer, processing, and long-term preservation of data. Through a European collaborative initiative with leading photon science research facilities, MAX IV is developing sustainable methods for scientific data reduction and scientifically validated methods for lossy data compression within tomography and imaging.

As a postdoc, you will contribute to the evaluation, development, validation, and implementation of advanced methods for data reduction and compression for large-scale image datasets. You will work at the interface of scientific data processing, image analysis, and research infrastructures, in close collaboration with researchers, software developers, beamline scientists, and computational experts within the European photon science community.

The project is carried out in close collaboration with leading European research facilities through the LEAPS network. The position offers a unique opportunity to work directly with MAX IV's operations in X-ray imaging and tomography. This includes established tomography capabilities at DanMAX and ForMAX, as well as the development of TomoWISE, a dedicated next-generation tomography beamline currently under construction. The successful candidate will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers developing future imaging capabilities at MAX IV, while working together with experts in tomography, scientific data processing, data management, and research software around Europe.

Your work will contribute to practical solutions that significantly reduce data volumes while maintaining scientific quality and reproducibility. The project combines scientific research, software development, and international collaboration, providing opportunities to influence future best practices for data management at large-scale research facilities.

The work includes, among other things, benchmarking and validation of compression algorithms, development of software tools and workflows, creation of quality metrics and best practices, collaboration with partner facilities, organizing workshops and training initiatives, as well as dissemination of results through publications and presentations.

Your main tasks are to:

• Evaluate and benchmark methods for data reduction and lossy data compression using representative tomography and imaging datasets from MAX IV and collaborating facilities.
• Develop software tools, workflows, and validation methods that support the adoption of compression technology in scientific environments.
• Collaborate with beamline scientists to evaluate how data reduction methods affect scientific results and data quality.
• Contribute to guidelines, best practices, and knowledge resources within scientific data reduction, data compression, and FAIR data management.
• Collaborate with researchers and technical experts at European research facilities to promote knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
• Support and coordinate the project's workshops, training activities, and communication efforts.
• Disseminate project results through reports, technical documentation, presentations, workshops, and scientific publications.

Qualifications

To be successful in the role, you need to have:

• A PhD in computer science, applied mathematics, physics, engineering, scientific data processing, image processing, data science, or a related field.
• Documented experience in scientific programming, development of scientific software, or data-intensive computing environments.
• Experience with Python as well as at least one high-performance programming language such as C++, Rust, or Julia.
• Experience working with large-scale scientific datasets, image processing, computational imaging, tomography analysis, or data compression.
• Experience with Linux-based computing environments and modern software development methods, including version control and collaborative development.
• Very good ability to communicate in speech and writing in English.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Meritorious qualifications

• Experience with synchrotron facilities, neutron facilities, electron microscopy, medical imaging, or other large-scale imaging facilities.
• Experience with scientific data formats and technologies such as HDF5, NeXus, and Zarr.
• Knowledge of FAIR principles and research data management.
• Experience with high-performance computing (HPC), cloud-based computing, GPU acceleration, or distributed computing.
• Experience with international research collaborations and/or research projects involving multiple organizations.

Eligibility

For employment as a postdoc, a PhD or an international degree assessed to be equivalent to a PhD within the subject area of the position is required. The degree should normally have been awarded no more than three years before the application deadline. Under special circumstances, the degree may be older than three years. This is a full-time fixed-term position for two years.

For the full advertisement: https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:968843/