Institution
ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating ten beamlines, complementary facilities, and an Electron Microscopy Center, this last in partnership with other institutions. Currently constructing multiple more beamlines, expanding the Electron Microscopy Center, and integrating advanced data analytics, it sums up a wide range of infrastructures geared toward finding solutions to societal challenges.
Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Recerca i Universitats). The synchrotron light produced by 3 GeV electrons is used by thousands of researchers to analyse and understand the properties and functionality of matter, spanning a wide variety of fields, such as catalytic research, health, energy production/storage, environmental research, communication technologies, or cultural heritage.
Our highly motivated staff works in a multidisciplinary work environment with an atmosphere formed by lived diversity, inclusion and respect for our colleagues. One of the goals of our gender equality plan is to reach parity within the Consortium’s different divisions and offices, and several actions have been taken to encourage applications from women mostly in scientific, engineer and technical job positions.
Located close to Barcelona in a natural park and well connected by car and public transportation, with excellent connectivity to the world and an employer who understands the importance of life-work balance.
Facing an upgrade to ALBA II, a 4th generation facility, which will increase dramatically brightness and coherent flux, ALBA is in a phase of growth and dynamics. Being a part of the ALBA team will promote your career and will give you the opportunities to explore new territories.
The FaXToR beamline is devoted to fast hard X-ray computerized tomography (CT) and radiography in both stationary and dynamical studies taking place in the μm- and subsecond- scale. Both absorption and phase-contrast imaging modalities are routinely used at the beamline. The beamline enters into user operation in 2025 while facing an important commissioning and construction phase to ensure all its capabilities to be operative within 2026.
Tasks
As beamline scientist of FaXToR, you will drive the beamline capabilities and foster existing and potential user communities, collaborate with the beamline scientists at ALBA to push correlative methods within specific scientific programs, interact with the ALBA staff to develop advanced imaging tools at the beamline, promote advanced methodologies for the beamline upgrade and present technical reports and papers.
The following tasks summarize this in a nut shell:
* Develop innovative hardware and software tools for phase-contrast X-ray imaging, together with the rest of the scientific beamline staff and the corresponding engineers and technicians.
* Develop novel solutions for smart data acquisition, processing and visualization, in collaboration with the ALBA Scientific Data Management Section.
* Develop and demonstrate the value of a scientific program in materials characterization and hard X-ray imaging that takes advantage of and expands the capabilities of the beamline.
* Develop your own scientific program on phase contrast X-ray imaging on soft/biological matter and/or materials science, aligned with the scientific program of the beamline and, in the larger context, of the Life Sciences section.
* Participate in the beamline research program of the FaXToR group, national and European projects and collaborations. This may also include the initiation of new projects if appropriate.
* Be directly involved in the commissioning phases of the beamline.
* Provide support to the scientific users of the FaXToR beamline as a Local Contact.
Requirements
The requirements for participation must be met on the date of the deadline for the submission of applications and will be accredited by means of the CV attached to it, without prejudice to the power of the selection body to require the contribution of the originals of the certifications accrediting the qualifications, training and work experience invoked in the CV.
The successful candidate must:
* hold a PhD in physics or related disciplines involving computational methods.
* Experience of at least 3 years in large synchrotron or XFEL facilities.
* Proven experience of at least 1 year in algorithm and software development.
* English level C1 both written and spoken is strictly required.
Everyone who meets the requirements will be admitted for the selective process. This position is reserved for those candidates having the legal status of person with disabilities, with a degree of disability equal or greater than 33%. In case of one or more admitted applicants with this status of disability, these candidates will be evaluated at first. In the event that no candidate with the status of disability is finally selected for the position, the selection process shall continue and the rest of the applicants will be evaluated.
Selection Process Development
The selection will be carried out through the competition-opposition system.
As a first phase, an analysis of the curriculum will be carried out (assessment of previous experience and / or scientific history, degree, training and other professional information relevant to the position). Career breaks or variations in the chronological order of CVs will be regarded as an evolution of a career, and consequently, as a contribution to the professional development.
The assessment of the CV in the competition phase will be scored up to 40 points, which will consider the following aspects:
* Experience on X-ray imaging/techniques (10 points)
* Experience in data processing (10 points)
* Experience in conducting synchrotron experiments and analyzing experimental data (10 points)
* Significant scientific publication record (10 points)
The best rated candidates, at least two if possible, will be invited to an interview where the technical competence, knowledge, skills and professional experience linked to the position will be assessed, with a total score of 60 points. A minimum of 30 points must be obtained out of a total of 60 points to be eligible.
Provided they meet the minimum requirements and have ranked among the top five after the assessment of the CV phase, at least one person from the underrepresented gender in the division/office will be interviewed.
The interview will include at least:
* Experience in implementing innovative solutions for X-ray phase contrast and dark field methods (30 points)
* Expertise in Python programming (10 points)
* Experience in GPU programming (10 points)
* Good interpersonal and communication skills (5 points)
* Vision of the job position (5 points)
The merits will be accredited by means of the CV attached to the application. The selection board may require accreditation by additional documentation, originals or certified copies confirming the experience invoked in the CV.
In case of a tied final score, the position will be awarded to the person who belongs to the most underrepresented gender in the corresponding Division and subsidiarily to the overall company.
If necessary, alternates of the members of the selection board will be appointed by the president of the selection process, and the change will be published in the announcement.
The resolution of the selection procedure will be carried out within a maximum period of six months from the deadline for submitting applications for participation.
The selection process may be declared vacant if the selection board considers not to have found eligible candidates for the position although they might meet the requirements to participate in the selection process specified in the offer.
Other information
Permanent contract.
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