PostDoc in Scientific Imaging Data Reduction and Compression

Lund University; Lunds kommun; On-site; SEK 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

The Scientific Data Group at MAX IV Laboratory, part of the Technical Division, seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance data reduction and lossy-compression workflows for tomography and imaging.

The successful candidate will evaluate, develop and deploy advanced data reduction methods, collaborate with European photon science facilities, and contribute to reproducible workflows across large-scale imaging datasets and FAIR data practices.

Qualifications

• PhD in a closely related discipline.
• Experience in scientific programming or data-intensive computing.
• Strong experience with Python and at least one high-performance language (C++, Rust, or Julia).
• Experience with large-scale imaging datasets and tomography data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate and benchmark data reduction and lossy-compression methods using representative tomography and imaging datasets.
• Develop software tools, workflows and validation methodologies for adoption of compression technologies.
• Collaborate with beamline scientists to evaluate data reduction impact on outcomes and data quality.
• Contribute to community guidelines and best practices for scientific data reduction and FAIR data management.
• Work with researchers at European photon science facilities to facilitate knowledge exchange.
• Coordinate project workshops, training activities and dissemination events.
• Disseminate results through reports, publications, and presentations.

Skills

Python

C++

Rust

Julia

Scientific programming

Linux

Version control

English communication

Education

PhD in Computer Science / Mathematics / Physics / Engineering / Scientific Computing / Image Processing / Data Science

Tools

HDF5

NeXus

Zarr

Job description

The Scientific Data Group

You will join the Scientific Data Group within the Technical Division of MAX IV Laboratory. We develop and operate high-performance data acquisition systems for cutting‑edge detectors and provide data processing, visualisation and analysis solutions that enable researchers to rapidly interpret results from X-ray scattering, imaging and spectroscopy experiments. Our systems routinely handle data rates of several GB/s and support large-scale scientific data workflows. To support sustainable data management at next-generation photon science facilities, we are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance scientific data reduction and compression workflows for tomography and imaging applications in collaboration with European research infrastructures.

The Position

The rapid growth of data volumes generated by modern imaging experiments is creating significant challenges for data storage, transfer, processing and long-term preservation. Through a collaborative European initiative involving leading photon science facilities, MAX IV is developing sustainable approaches to scientific data reduction and scientifically validated lossy‑compression methods for tomography and imaging applications.

As a PostDoc you will contribute to the evaluation, development, validation and deployment of advanced data reduction and compression methodologies for large-scale imaging datasets. Working at the interface between scientific computing, image analysis and research infrastructures, you will collaborate closely with scientists, software engineers, beamline scientists and computing specialists across the European photon science community.

The project is carried out in close collaboration with leading European photon science facilities through the LEAPS community. The position offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with MAX IV's full‑field X-ray imaging and tomography activities. These span the established tomography capabilities at DanMAX and ForMAX, together with the development of TomoWISE, a dedicated next‑generation tomography beamline currently under construction. The successful candidate will work closely with scientists and engineers developing future imaging capabilities at MAX IV while collaborating with experts in tomography, scientific computing, data management and research software engineering across Europe.

Your work will contribute to practical solutions that significantly reduce data volumes while preserving scientific quality and reproducibility. The project combines scientific research, software development and international collaboration, offering opportunities to influence community‑wide best practices for data handling at large‑scale research facilities. Activities include benchmarking and validating compression algorithms, developing software tools and workflows, establishing quality metrics and best practices, collaborating with partner facilities, organising workshops and training activities, and disseminating results through publications and presentations.

Your Primary Responsibilities Will Include

• Evaluate and benchmark data reduction and lossy‑compression methods using representative tomography and imaging datasets from MAX IV and collaborating facilities.
• Develop software tools, workflows and validation methodologies that support the adoption of compression technologies in scientific environments.
• Collaborate with beamline scientists to evaluate the impact of data reduction methods on scientific outcomes and data quality.
• Contribute to community guidelines, best practices and knowledge resources related to scientific data reduction, compression and FAIR data management.
• Work with researchers and technical experts at European photon science facilities to facilitate knowledge exchange and technology transfer.
• Support and coordinate project workshops, training activities and dissemination events.
• Disseminate project outcomes through reports, technical documentation, presentations, workshops, and scientific publications, as appropriate.

To be successful in this role you need to have the following qualifications

• A PhD in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Scientific Computing, Image Processing, Data Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in scientific programming, scientific software development, or data-intensive computing.
• Experience with Python and 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 data analysis, or data compression.
• Experience with Linux‑based computing environments and modern software development practices, including version control and collaborative software development.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment

The following qualifications are considered an advantage

• Experience with synchrotron, neutron, 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 data principles and research data management.
• Experience with high‑performance computing, cloud computing, GPU acceleration, or distributed data processing.
• Experience participating in international scientific collaborations and/or multi‑institutional research projects.

Eligibility

Appointment to the position of postdoc requires that the applicant has a PhD or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the application deadline. Under special circumstances the PhD can have been completed previous to the aforementioned three years.

Further information

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term employment for two years. A postdoctoral fellow is employed under a period of at least two years and at most three years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor-2022-02-01” (“Agreement on fixed‑term employment as a post‑doctoral fellow, 2022‑02‑01”).

What we offer

When you join our MAX IV team, you enter a world of cutting‑edge science. We make the invisible visible by supporting scientists from all over the world, generating scientific results for the benefit of society. We offer you a multicultural work environment with great opportunities for personal development with respect for a healthy work‑life balance.

Would you like to work in a challenging and supporting environment? Then join us and take the opportunity to make a real difference!

For Further Information, Please Visit

https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-lund-university/work-lund-university

www.sweden.se

https://www.maxiv.lu.se/about-us/careers/compensation-benefits/