Grenoble, France; Stanford University, USA; Hamburg, Germany; University of Canterbury, New Zealand

You will participate in an international project that connects the ILL (France), Hamburg/DESY (Germany), New York University (USA), and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand). The project is funded by a prestigious grant from the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) to Keele University (UK) and will link to the one of the most important European facility developments in a generation – the creation of an X-ray laser source (XFEL, Hamburg). HFSP grants are awarded to teams having strong complementary expertise and who propose highly innovative research. This intercontinental collaboration links established neutron and X-ray approaches for the study of biological systems with those now emerging at X-ray free-electron lasers (XFEL) facilities and addresses the challenge of imaging single fibrous biological macromolecules.

Duties
You will be located within ILL’s Life Sciences Group and play a crucial role in the preparation of samples as well as carrying out experiments at the ILL and ESRF in Grenoble, the LCLS FEL source at Stanford University (USA), and the new XFEL facility in Hamburg. Your main tasks will be to:

• Carry out extensive sample preparation work – proteins, nucleic acids, filamentous complexes
• Perform diffraction experiments at different facilities such as ILL and ESRF in Grenoble – France, X-FEL in Hamburg, and Stanford
• Analyse data as required
• Prepare papers for scientific press
• Contribute to workshops, conferences, etc.

Notes
Post-Doctoral contract of 18 months, renewable for a further 6 to 18-month period.
Only candidates holding a PhD obtained less than 2 years ago are eligible for post-doctoral positions.
Further information can be obtained contacting Prof. Trevor Forsyth at the ILL or at Keele University (please do not send your application to his address).

Benefits
Generous company benefits (expatriation allowance), relocation assistance and language courses may be offered (for more information, please consult our employment conditions).

Qualifications and experience
You should have an appropriate undergraduate background (eg physical or life sciences) and a PhD in a relevant area. You are competent in molecular biology and biochemistry techniques as well as in sample preparation. You are also familiar with data collection (eg crystallography, SAXS/SANS) methods and have a good general grasp of biophysical techniques.

Language skills
As an international research centre, we are particularly keen to ensure that we also attract applicants from outside France. You must have a sound knowledge of English and be willing to learn French (a language course will be paid for by the ILL). Knowledge of German would be an advantage.

Please submit your application online with a CV, list of publications, and the names of 3 references, including one from your present work place, no later than 04.03.2018, via the online application (Vacancy reference: 17/PostDoc11).
The interviews will take place from mid-March 2018 on.