Postdoctoral Researcher in Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction (Materials and Chemical Science)

Aarhus Universitet; Aarhus kommune; On-site; DKK 346,000 - 439,000; Full time

Job summary

A postdoctoral researcher in Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SCXRD) is sought for a two-year position focused on materials science at the SINCRYS beamline at MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden. The role combines beamline commissioning, data collection and user support within the Scandinavian Crystallography Service.

The successful candidate will collaborate with AU, MAX IV, and the DanMAX/SINCRYS team, contribute to high-throughput crystallography, and develop novel methodologies while

Qualifications

• A PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., crystallography, chemistry, materials science, physics)
• Experience in chemical/materials crystallography (e.g. small unit-cell systems)
• Expert knowledge of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and in SCXRD data processing
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English

Responsibilities

• Participate in the commissioning, testing, and optimization of the SINCRYS beamline and its experimental workflows
• Promote the SCS through outreach activities and engagement with academic and industrial partners across Scandinavia
• Collaborate with beamline scientists, software developers, and technical staff to improve instrumentation and user workflows
• Collect, process, and interpret SCXRD data for academic and industrial users
• Perform synchrotron-based single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments on a wide range of materials
• Program and establish analytic tools to assess data quality
• Support users in experiment planning, sample preparation, data analysis, and structure determination
• Contribute to the development of mail-in and remote-access crystallography services

Skills

SCXRD expertise

Python programming

English proficiency

Education

PhD in crystallography/chemistry/materials science/physics

Tools

Synchrotron facilities experience

Data processing software

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction (Materials and Chemical Science)

Institut for Kemi Langelandsgade 140 8000 Aarhus C

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with expertise in single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) for a two-year postdoctoral position in materials science at the DanMAX and SINCRYS beamlines at MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden.

SINCRYS is currently under construction and will soon enter its commissioning phase. The beamline is expected to receive first light late 2026, with expert commissioning commencing in 2027. The candidate will participate in the commissioning, testing, and optimization of the beamline.

SINCRYS is built for SCXRD studies of small-unit-cell systems commonly encountered in organic molecules, inorganic materials, and hybrid organic-inorganic compounds. While its primary focus is on high-throughput structure determination of micro-crystals, the beamline has been designed to also support a range of advanced crystallographic experiments. As a result, planning, preparing, conducting, and supporting user experiments will be an integral part of the position.

SINCRYS will serve as the foundation of the Scandinavian Crystallography Service (SCS), a one-stop shop for mail-in and remote-access crystallography. The SCS will serve a broad user community, including academic researchers and industrial partners, particularly those with limited prior experience of synchrotron-based research or single-crystal diffraction techniques. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role as the principal SCS crystallographer. Key responsibilities will include outreach, SCXRD data collection, data processing, structure solution, and user support.

To make SCS a success, the successful candidate is expected to engage in outreach and community activities, including travel within Scandinavia to promote the service, build collaborations, and provide guidance and training to users.

In addition to supporting user operations and SCS, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to pursue a research program under the supervision of the SINCRYS beamline scientist.

The commissioning of a new synchrotron beamline provides a unique environment for developing novel diffraction methodologies, data-analysis workflows, and experimental capabilities. The candidate will have access to state-of-the-art synchrotron instrumentation and be encouraged to initiate and participate in collaborative research projects in structural chemistry and materials science, working closely with researchers in the DanMAX/SINCRYS team, Aarhus University and MAX IV. Depending on the candidate’s interests and expertise, research activities may include studies of functional materials, advanced crystallographic methods, automated and high-throughput crystallography, or the development of new applications enabled by the beamline. The combination of beamline commissioning, crystallography service, and research provides an excellent platform for developing a long-term career in synchrotron science and/or crystallography.

The SINCRYS project is led by Aarhus University and carried out in close collaboration with MAX IV Laboratory, Sweden's national synchrotron facility hosted by Lund University. The successful candidate will be employed and managed by Aarhus University, Denmark, while the primary workplace will be at MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Sweden.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in the commissioning, testing, and optimization of the SINCRYS beamline and its experimental workflows


• Promote the SCS through outreach activities and engagement with academic and industrial partners across Scandinavia


• Collaborate with beamline scientists, software developers, and technical staff to improve instrumentation and user workflows


• Collect, process, and interpret SCXRD data for academic and industrial users


• Perform synchrotron-based single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments on a wide range of materials


• Program and establish analytic tools to assess data quality


• Support users in experiment planning, sample preparation, data analysis, and structure determination


• Contribute to the development of mail-in and remote-access crystallography services

Opportunities and career development

• Be part of the commissioning and scientific development of a new synchrotron beamline from first light onward


• Access state-of-the-art synchrotron X-ray instrumentation at MAX IV, one of the world's leading synchrotron facilities


• Publish scientific results in scientific journals and present research at international conferences


• Gain experience in large-scale research infrastructure and beamline operations


• Play a leading role in shaping the Scandinavian Crystallography Service and expanding its scientific reach


• Build a strong professional network within the international synchrotron and crystallography communities.

Qualification requirements

Applicants must have:

• A PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., crystallography, chemistry, materials science, physics)


• Experience in chemical/materials crystallography (e.g. small unit-cell systems)


• Expert knowledge of single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and in SCXRD data processing


• Very good oral and written proficiency in English

Assessment criteria and other qualifications:

• Experience in the Python programming language


• Experience in mounting micro-crystals


• Experience with experiments at synchrotron radiation sources

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive, independence, and how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the team.

Terms of employment

Two-year position with preferred start date 1 January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The place of work is the MAX IV Laboratory in Lund, Fotongatan 2, Sweden, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with affiliated institutions.

Deadline

All applications must be received no later than 2 October 2026.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners. Aarhus University also offers a Junior Researcher Development Programme targeted at career development for postdocs at AU.

At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.