Job openings

Rome, Italy

The scientific plan for the postdoctoral position is part of a comprehensive effort to investigate the interaction of biosystems (like proteins and biomembranes) with a new class of organic salts known as room-temperature ionic liquids (RTIL). This is a new and promising field of study that offers a good balance of challenges and future job opportunities, both in academia and industry.

It has been found that RTIL interact with biosystems in a strong and selective way, opening new opportunities for applications in biomedicine, pharmacology, material science, and bio-nanotechnology.
For example, RTIL have shown

1. a marked antibacterial effect
2. specific interactions with proteins, affecting their aggregation into amyloid plaques
3. the ability to penetrate biomembranes.

For an overview of this research: http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acssuschemeng.5b01385
For more info about the research activity of the Lab visit our webpage www.antoniobenedetto.eu

The successful candidate will be based at the Department of Science of Roma Tre University, located inthe centre of the city of Rome, Italy. The research activity will be also carried out at the School of Physics, University College Dublin, Ireland, and at the Laboratory for Neutron Scattering and Imaging, Paul Scherrer Institut, Switzerland.

The candidates must hold a PhD degree in physics or in a related discipline (e.g. chemistry, material science). Experience in one of the following area is highly appreciated: neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy, computer simulations of biosystems and ionic liquids.

Send a motivation letter (one page), CV, publication list (highlighting 3 of yourpublications), and the contact details (name, affiliation, and e-mail) of your supervisor and of oneadditional referee to Dr. Antonio Benedetto at antonio.benedetto@ucd.ie

Applications can be sent from now on until the post is filled. Every second week starting from Monday the 16th of July 2018 invitations for interview will be sent based on the applications.

Interviews with potential candidates will start on the week of the 23th of July 2018, and the procedure will continue until the suitable candidate is recruited.

NOTE: 3-year PhD scholarships are also available. Interested candidates need to apply on-line at https://apps.uniroma3.it/bando2018/ The deadline is the 26th of June 2018 (2pm CET). Basic knowledge of neutron scattering, atomic force microscopy and computer simulations of biosystems
and ionic liquids is highly appreciated.

Aachen, Germany

The Nuclear Verification and Disarmament Group, sponsored by a FREIGEIST-Fellowship of the VolkswagenStiftung, is a junior research group that conducts research on verification approaches to make progress on nuclear disarmament. The research lies at the crossroads of experimental physics, computational nuclear engineering as well as the social sciences. It seeks to develop new “nuclear archaeology” tools to reconstruct how much weapons-usable materials have been produced in the past.

More information: https://www.aices.rwth-aachen.de/en/about-aices/about/institutes/nuclear-verification-disarmament

The group is part of the graduate school Aachen Institute for Advanced Study in Computational Engineering Science (AICES), which conducts interdisciplinary research at the interface between mathematics, computer science and engineering. The group also works together with the III. Institute of Physics B, which conducts research in the field of experimental particle and astroparticle physics.

Your responsibilities

Plutonium is produced in reactors and must be subsequently separated from the reactor fuel in reprocessing plants, producing radioactive waste. Highly enriched uranium is produced in enrichment plants, which also produces waste. Information on past production of weapons-usable fissile materials can be obtained today by analysing documentation of the past fuel cycle operations, and by analysing isotopic measurements of radioactive wastes of samples of structural materials from the fuel cycle plants.

In addition to developing techniques to gather relevant information from measured samples of wastes or from within facilities, inverse models must be developed that take into consideration all available information. They will be used to infer the most likely fuel cycle operation scenarios given the available data. This in turn will lead to fissile material production estimates. Uncertainties must be quantified. For this purpose, fuel cycle simulation codes will need to be advanced. Two key challenges will be that the documentation a state would provide to inspectors will likely not provide the full fuel cycle history in detail, and some parts may potentially be false. Therefore, measures to check the various sources of information for consistency and plausibility must be developed.

While the focus of the position is on research, you will to a limited extent be involved with teaching on topics related to your research, as well as with assisting in the supervision of students writing their theses.

What we offer

The successful applicant will be employed as a public servant. The salary corresponds to 100% of a EG 13 TV-L position.

This is a full-time position for two years. The possibility of an extension will depend on satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

We are looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral research associate with excellent scientific skills. You are excited to work within an interdisciplinary and young research team, and to apply your technical skills to help make progress on international peace and security. You are ready to apply your capabilities and commitment as a team-player to contribute to shaping a young research group, while working with the support of experienced faculty members.
A prerequisite is a doctoral degree in physics or another relevant field with an excellent record. Applicants who will have their degree in hand at the time of the appointment can apply. Very good English skills, or very good German and good English skills are required. Programming skills (e.g. C++) are also required. Further, knowledge in a selection of the following areas is desirable (others can be obtained on the job):

• Nuclear physics or engineering, knowledge of the nuclear fuel cycle, nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament
• Parameter estimation, numerical methods, uncertainty quantification, machine learning

The position is to be filled as soon as possible, applications are accepted on a rolling basis. This call will remain open until a suited candidate is found.

We particularly welcome and encourage applications from women, disabled persons and ethnic minority groups, recognizing they are underrepresented across RWTH Aachen University.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Prof. Malte Göttsche (goettsche@aices.rwth-aachen.de). To apply, please send a letter of motivation, a CV and your academic transcripts/records electronically to Prof. Göttsche. Please also request two letters of recommendation, which the recommenders shall send directly. Applications can be submitted in German or English.

The Indiana University Center for the Exploration of Energy and Materials (CEEM), together with the Indiana University Physics Department, is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to develop neutron scattering techniques applied to quantum information and quantum materials. CEEM houses a small accelerator-based neutron source called the Low Energy Neutron Source (LENS) that focuses on the development of instrumentation such as neutron spin-echo techniques and neutron polarization filters as well as on the application of neutron scattering to a variety of scientific problems. LENS has strong partnerships with national and international neutron facilities (e.g. NCNR and SNS/HFIR in the U.S. and ISIS in the UK) and an international reputation for neutron scattering investigations and for building novel instrumentation.

The post-doctoral appointee will work on one or more projects including: the use of superconducting neutron Wollaston prisms to probe quantum entanglement in materials such as those which exhibit quantum spin liquid behavior; the development of novel RF neutron-spin-flippers using high temperature superconducting materials; and the development of a wide-angle neutron spin echo spectrometer, again using high Tc materials. Development of new instrumentation will require computer simulation using commercially available software such as MagNet© and COMSOL© and well as mechanical design, testing and neutron beam experiments at LENS and at national neutron facilities. The appointee will have the opportunity to spend extended time at the labs mentioned above in the course of these projects.

Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent qualification in a field such as Physics, Chemistry or Engineering. Experience with neutron or synchrotron x-ray experiments and/or the development of associated instrumentation is an advantage but not a necessity. Experience in designing, building and using novel instrumentation for science experiments will be an advantage.

The position is available immediately. The initial Postdoctoral Associate appointment will be for 1 year, with the expectation for renewal for an additional 2 years, contingent on funding.

Applications, including a CV, a list of publications, a statement of research interests, and three references, should be submitted through the application portal located at http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/6063. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Prof. Roger Pynn (rpynn@indiana.edu). For more information about the group research, see http://www.indiana.edu/~lens/research.html

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.

Applications for postdoctoral positions are accepted on a continuing basis, and starting dates can be adjusted to suit the candidates.

Aachen, Germany

The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) develops and operates neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide. Within our research topics „Correlated electron systems and nanomagnetism“ and „Soft matter and biophysics“ we make it possible that researchers from science and industry can use world-class scientific instruments together with dedicated sample environment and laboratory infrastructure, and they receive support by our specialists. In addition, JCNS is engaged in development and installation of the next generation of accelerator driven neutron sources.

Enforce this field of activity as a PhD student (f/m)

Your Tasks

You work as a PhD student on the development of cryogenic neutron moderators within the HBS project (High Brilliance neutron Source), a compact accelerator driven neutron source for research applications. Within this project you work on the development and commissioning of a critical detail of the neutron moderation, which has an important impact on the success of the project. In addition, you participate in the preparation of a Conceptual Design Report for this large-scale project, you develop new technologies that have not yet been realized before, and you bring these into operation as a part of the moderator team during measurement campaigns at neutron sources in Germany and abroad.

Our offer

• Participation in a completely new forward-looking large-scale project. HBS as an innovative project gives you the opportunity of a personal contribution in an early phase.
• Exciting working environment on an attractive research campus, well located in the triangle Cologne-Düsseldorf-Aachen
• Competent supervision by linking to the two institutes JNCS and ZEA-1 (Central institute for engineering)
• Support by the excellent infrastructure of a big public research centre that is part of an international cooperation network
• Promotion at RWTH Aachen, physics faculty (Dr. rer. nat. or Dr. ing. possible)
• Temporary employment for three years, PhD student contract

You have finished successfully your university studies (Master or diploma) in physics, physical chemistry, material science, or as physics engineer or mechanical engineer with an experimental focus on cryogenics, solid state physics, or nuclear physics. Experimental experience in one of the following fields would be welcome: Raman spectroscopy, neutron (maybe X-ray) scattering or cryogenics, together with the willingness to learn the others. Basic knowledge in CAD, ANSYS and/or LabView would be helpful, but can also be acquired “on the job”

You can work interdisciplinary in a small team and you don’t mind to search for experts in the institute and in the entire research centre that support you in the solution of upcoming problems. You have good language skills in English and you are ready to communicate in English at work. In addition, you are ready to perform business trips in Germany and abroad and to work as a radiation-exposed worker under the supervision of our health and safety protection organization.

Forschungszentrum Jülich aims to employ more women in this area and therefore particularly welcomes applications from women. We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

We are pleased to receive your job application by Email including the reference number given above until June 30, 2018. After this date, you will receive information about the process of the employment procedure soon.

Garching near Munich

Forschungszentrum Jülich and Technical Universitiy of Munich (TUM) jointly invite applications for the position of Full Professor (W3) for Neutron Methods. According to the Jülich model, the successful candidate will be simultaneously appointed Director at the Jülich Centre for Neutron Science – Neutron Methods (JCNS-4) at Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich.

The professorship is assigned to the TUM Department of Physics and situated at MLZ. MLZ represents the cooperation between TUM, Helmholtzzentrum Geesthacht, and Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH on the scientific use of the research neutron source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz in Garching.
The TUM Department of Physics and MLZ are located on the Garching campus in the greater Munich area, which offers an extraordinary scientific and collaborative research environment with a multitude of opportunities for intensive networking.

Responsibilities

We are looking for a renowned researcher who will be appointed head of JCNS-4 and will take on responsibilities as TUM professor within the scope of the Jülich model. These responsibilities include research and teaching (2 contact hours per week per semester) as well as the promotion of early-career scientists; reasonable contribution to the academic self-governance of TUM is expected.
Candidates should have an excellent international reputation with an outstanding scientific record for further developing neutron scattering methods to the highest standards and a visible research programme. The successful candidate is expected to dynamically develop the instrument suite at MLZ by means of science-driven method development in close collaboration with the JCNS institutes at Jülich and the associated partners and institutions at MLZ as well as to efficiently conduct user operation.
Prerequisites include the ability to head an interdisciplinary institute and the willingness to cooperate closely with the theoretical and experimental working groups of the institutes involved. Active involvement in scientific projects at Forschungszentrum Jülich and in the Munich research region is expected.

Our offer

TUM and Forschungszentrum Jülich are equal opportunities employers. Applications from women are especially welcome and will be given preference in the case of equal suitability, qualifications, and experience, unless special personal reasons concerning a male candidate outweigh these considerations. We particularly welcome applications from disabled persons. In case of equal qualification, disabled persons will be given preference in accordance with state equal opportunity legislation.
Both institutions also offer support for dual career couples. The successful candidate will be offered support in the form of comprehensive human resource development.

We are looking for a scientist with an internationally visible reputation with proven performance in research and education at the highest level. A university degree and an outstanding doctoral degree, or equivalent scientific qualifications, above-average publication output, and pedagogical aptitude – including the ability to teach in English – are also prerequisites. Furthermore, candidates should have experience and skills in science and personnel management. In addition, experience in establishing and heading scientific collaborations and attracting third-party funding are expected.

Applications in English should be sent with the usual documentation (CV, copies of certificates, list of publications (5 most important publications should be highlighted), list of courses taught, brief summary of previous research activities including a list of third-party funding, research and teaching concept for the position advertised) preferably by email by 15 July 2018 to

Board of Directors of Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
52425 Jülich, Germany
berufungen@fz-juelich.de

Aachen, Germany

The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) develops and operates neutron scattering instruments at some of the best neutron sources worldwide. Within our research topics „Correlated electron systems and nanomagnetism“ and „Soft matter and biophysics“ we make it possible that researchers from science and industry can use world-class scientific instruments together with dedicated sample environment and laboratory infrastructure, and they receive support by our specialists. In addition, JCNS is engaged in development and installation of the next generation of accelerator driven neutron sources.
Enforce this field of activity as a PhD student (f/m)!

You work as a PhD student on the development of cryogenic neutron moderators within the HBS project (High Brilliance neutron Source), a compact accelerator driven neutron source for research applications. Within this project you work on the development and commissioning of a critical detail of the neutron moderation, which has an important impact on the success of the project. In addition, you participate in the preparation of a Conceptual Design Report for this large-scale project, you develop new technologies that have not yet been realized before, and you bring these into operation as a part of the moderator team during measurement campaigns at neutron sources in Germany and abroad.

Our offer

• Participation in a completely new forward-looking large-scale project. HBS as an innovative project gives you the opportunity of a personal contribution in an early phase.
• Exciting working environment on an attractive research campus, well located in the triangle Cologne-Düsseldorf-Aachen
• Competent supervision by linking to the two institutes JNCS and ZEA-1 (Central institute for engineering)
• Support by the excellent infrastructure of a big public research centre that is part of an international cooperation network
• Promotion at RWTH Aachen, physics faculty (Dr. rer. nat. or Dr. ing. possible)
• Temporary employment for three years, PhD student contract

You have finished successfully your university studies (Master or diploma) in physics, physical chemistry, material science, or as physics engineer or mechanical engineer with an experimental focus on cryogenics, solid state physics, or nuclear physics. Experimental experience in one of the following fields would be welcome: Raman spectroscopy, neutron (maybe X-ray) scattering or cryogenics, together with the willingness to learn the others. Basic knowledge in CAD, ANSYS and/or LabView would be helpful, but can also be acquired “on the job”

You can work interdisciplinary in a small team and you don’t mind to search for experts in the institute and in the entire research centre that support you in the solution of upcoming problems. You have good language skills in English and you are ready to communicate in English at work. In addition, you are ready to perform business trips in Germany and abroad and to work as a radiation-exposed worker under the supervision of our health and safety protection organization.

Forschungszentrum Jülich aims to employ more women in this area and therefore particularly welcomes applications from women. We also welcome applications from disabled persons.

We are pleased to receive your job application by Email including the reference number given above until June 30, 2018. After this date, you will receive information about the process of the employment procedure soon.

Contact person

Barbara Daegener
Jülich Centre for Neutron Science
Quantum Materials and Collective Phenomena (JCNS-2)
Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
52425 Jülich
Germany
E-Mail: b.daegener@fz-juelich.de

Garching, Germany

On behalf of the State of Bavaria, the Technische Universität München operates the high flux Neutron Source Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II) located at the leading scientific campus in Garching, Germany. The neutron source itself, its research instruments as well as the irradiation facilities provide unique possibilities for the scientific and industrial use of neutron beams.

For the development and operation of the radiography and tomography station Nectar we invite applications (full time position 40.1 h/week) as Instrument scientist.

You play a leading role in the development of methods in the area of imaging with neutrons and are responsible for the operation of the radiography and tomography station Nectar at the FRM II. You collaborate closely with scientists and engineers from different groups and research areas. In addition you are engaged in your own research topics in collaboration with external scientists and industry partners.

The appointment is initially limited. The payment is based on the German pay scale TV-L. The Technical University Munich is an equal opportunity employer. Therefore women are especially encouraged to apply. Handicapped applicants having an equivalent experience will be preferred.

Further information is given by Dr. Michael Schulz (phone +49 89 289 14718, e-mail michael.schulz@frm2.tum.de)

You have a degree in physics, material science or related fields. Ideally you have knowledge and experience in the application of imaging techniques for research or industrial applications. You have proven organisational competencies. Persuasive communication skills and ability to team work in an international environment are mandatory. Good oral and written English skills are required.

Applications will be reviewed after May 29th, 2018 and are accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should send a letter of interest describing relevant experience including detailed curriculum vitae by regular or electronic mail (merged to a pdf file) to:

Technische Universität München
Forschungsneutronenquelle Heinz Maier-Leibnitz (FRM II)
Personalabteilung
Lichtenbergstraße 1; D-85747 Garching
Tel: +49 89 289 14614
E-Mail: personal@frm2.tum.de
http://www.frm2.tum.de

Saclay, France

The Laboratoire Leon Brillouin (LLB) is a French Research Infrastructure jointly supported by CEA and CNRS (http://www-llb.cea.fr). The LLB operates both as a large-scale facility and a research institute. Neutrons are an invaluable technique to study a large variety of issues, including, for biological ones, protein folding/unfolding. The structure and the dynamics of proteins can be elucidated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and inelastic/quasi elastic neutron scattering (INS/QENS), due to the characteristics time and length scales probed by these techniques (from ns to few hundreds and from fraction up to several hundreds nm). So far, only few experiments have addressed the structure and dynamics of biological materials upon application of high pressure (HP).

The LLB has a long experience in the development of HP cells for SANS and INS/QENS. In particular, a HP device has recently been developed for SANS experiments up to 6 kbars and has been applied to study the role of ligands and hydrophobic cavities in the unfolding of myoglobin, a small globular protein. The project is to study the effect of pressure on the structure and dynamics of Cphycocyanin (CPC), a hexameric light-harvesting pigment-protein complex. CPC unfolding occurs through the dissociation of the hexamer into monomers until the complete unfolding of its subunits. Structural and dynamical changes may occur not only at “high” pressure (3-6 kbars), where proteins generally unfold completely, but also at “lower” pressure (1.5-2 kbars), where the input of water in the hydrophobic cavities of proteins may provide intermediate folding conformations so far undetected.

Starting date & Duration: As early as October 2018 ; 18 months

The successful candidate will be part of the “Soft Matter and Biophysics” scientific group. The position will allow the successful candidate to take advantage of the large in-house capabilities in biophysics research, neutron spectrometers, laboratory techniques, and access to the large scientific area around the “Plateau de Saclay”. Candidates are expected to have a PhD or similar in biophysics, biology, and/or biochemistry. Experimental experience in protein folding/unfolding would be highly appreciated. Experience with radiation techniques (X-ray or neutron scattering) would be advantageous.

Applications for this position should be sent by e-mail to sophie.combet@cea.fr and annie.brulet@cea.fr and include a C.V., the names of at least two references, and a cover letter summarizing current and future research initiatives.

Saclay, France

Recent years have seen a renewed interest for magnetoelectricity, as illustrated by the quickly increasing number of studies devoted to multiferroics materials. These fascinating materials present at least two ferroic orders, amongst the three widely known: ferroelasticity, ferroelectricity, and (anti)ferromagnetism. The coexistence of these two orders brings out multifunctionality, and new cross?coupling effects, that are particularly promising in areas such as data storage and spintronic : magnetoelectric coupling is indeed a key feature for potential applications, enabling the manipulation of magnetization with an electric field and vice versa.

The project steps outside the boundaries of the transition metal oxide compounds, mostly studied up to now, to investigate oxyborates with the ludwigite structure M3+(M2+)2O2BO3 (M is a transition element, divalent or trivalent). It associates mixed valence (di- and tri-valent ions) with a low dimensional network of transition metal atoms. The aim of the project is to characterize in details compounds belonging to this system, to identify new multiferroics/magnetoelectrics. Giant magnetoelectric effects have already been observed in Fe3BO5, but vast possibilities remain to induce such an effect by playing with substitution on the 2+ or 3+ sites of another transition element or a rareearth element, or by random site disorder by a non-magnetic element. On the technical side, the project will rely on the thorough characterizations of chosen oxyborate compositions, combining local and larger scale structural and physical characterization techniques (X-ray and neutron diffraction [LLB]), with physical properties measurements (transport, magnetization, dielectric constant, polarization, specific heat [CRISMAT]).

The candidate should hold a Ph.D. in solid-state chemistry or condensed matter physics, with a strong background in magnetism, and be capable of independent research as well as creativity. He/she should have a strong experience in neutron/X diffraction techniques, and powder diffraction data refinements. Experience with large scale facilities and magnetic structure determination would be appreciated. This research project requires a strong taste for experimental research and substantial autonomy. Good communication skills in oral and written English is essential.

Applications for this position should be sent by e-mail to gregory.chaboussant@cea.fr and include a C.V., the names of at least two references, and a cover letter summarizing current and future research initiatives.

Saclay/Paris/Grenoble, France

In the general framework of nanomagnetism, this research subject deals with fundamental properties of new magnetic materials (molecular magnetic clusters, magnetic nanoparticles) displaying functional properties associated to the control of magnetization at the molecular level or at the individual nanoparticle level. These “switchable” molecular solids are promising materials for high-density optical memory devices, especially since synthesis and deposition techniques now allow thin-film organisation and the size/shape control of magnetic particles. Molecular materials with so-called “spin transition” properties are capable to drastically change their magnetic state (from a non-magnetic state to a ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic state) upon temperature variation or under light radiation. In some materials, diamagnetic ions are converted into paramagnetic pairs through light excitations. These states are generally “metastable” and can be reversed with temperature.

The tasks of the project are to study the structural and magnetic properties of coordination nanoparticles (CNPS’s) based on Prussian Blue analogues complexes, CsNiCr and CsCoFe, and core-shell type CNP’s. These novel systems open new possibilities for the design of molecule-based switchable objects where magnetism may be controlled or tuned by an external perturbation (light, temperature, field, etc.). The project aims at understanding the magnetic conformations of the nanoparticles and their eventual interactions. The methods of investigation will include small-angle scattering (SANS, SAXS), neutron diffraction, Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS), and magnetometry (DC/AC) using SQUID and PPMS. Part of the work will also consists in developing new setups for in situ low-temperature photomagnetic studies under magnetic fields. Neutron experiments will be carried out at the LLB (CEA Saclay, south of Paris) and/or at the Institute Laue-Langevin (Grenoble).

The candidate should hold a Ph.D. in condensed matter physics or materials science, with a strong background in magnetism, and be capable of independent research as well as creativity. He/she should have experience in neutron/X scattering techniques (preferably SANS/SAXS) applied to condensed matter physics. This research project requires a strong taste for experimental physics (cryogenic work, superconducting coils, laser devices, sample preparation) and a substantial autonomy in both experimental and theoretical work. Strong communication skills in oral and written English is essential.

Applications for this position should be sent by e-mail to gregory.chaboussant@cea.fr, and include a C.V., the names of at least two references, and a cover letter summarizing current and future research initiatives.