Postdoctoral Research Associate in Condensed Matter Physics at the XMaS Beamline

2 months ago


Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom University of Liverpool Full time

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work with the E.P.S.R.C National Research Facility XMaS, the UK Collaborating Research Group synchrotron beamline at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble, France.

The post will be available for a period of up to 36 months. You will be located full time at the ESRF. The XMaS project directors at the University of Liverpool are Professor Chris Lucas and Dr Yvonne Gründer and you will work under their supervision.

The E.P.S.R.C National Research Facility (NRF) "XMaS: X-ray Materials Science Facility at the ESRF" is a long running synchrotron x-ray beamline embedded in the European Photon and Neutron (EPN) Science Campus. Recently the facility has been upgraded to match the ESRF Extremely Brilliant Source (EBS) upgrade and provide the UK research community with access to a state-of-the-art materials characterisation beamline with extended capabilities across a range of scattering and spectroscopy metrologies including:

  • Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS), including the ability to measure at grazing incidence.
  • Resonant elastic X-ray scattering (REXS).
  • High-resolution X-ray diffraction with polarisation analysis.
  • X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray dichroism.
  • X-ray reflectivity (XRR) and surface X-ray diffraction (SXRD).

The application of these techniques is possible in a range of specialist sample environments to allow *in situ* and *operando* studies with simultaneous control of external variables.

A PhD in a related field of physical chemistry or physics, in addition to expertise in the use of x-rays for materials characterisation, are required. You will be expected to support beamline users, contribute to the on-site team's development of the facility and in-house research and pursue their own independent research. Experience in the design of instrumentation and knowledge of programming with Python (or other similar languages) is also desirable. You must be capable of working independently and as a member of a team. We especially encourage applicants with experience in energy materials and those with interests in Raman spectroscopy.

Informal enquiries to Professor Lucas at

If you are still awaiting your PhD to be awarded you will be appointed at Grade 6, spine point 30. Upon written confirmation that you have been awarded your PhD, your salary will be increased to Grade 7, spine point 31.

The University of Liverpool is committed to enhancing workforce diversity. We actively seek to attract, develop, and retain colleagues with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We welcome applications from all genders/gender identities, Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic backgrounds, individuals living with a disability, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Job Ref: Closing Date: 30 September 2024

For full details and to apply online, please visit:

£38,205 to £44,264 pa + Overseas allowance



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