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 new FaXToR beamline, recently brough to regular user operation, 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, with a broad range of appliactions and a focus on biological matters. Absorption and phase-contrast imaging modalities are routinely used at the beamline, while grating-based interferometry is soon to be implemented.

For more information, you can take a look on our history watching this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHMqiH4qBAo

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

• Optimize and develop advanced X-ray imaging techniques at the beamline, together with the beamline staff and the corresponding engineers and technicians.
• Develop novel solutions for smart data collection and processing, in collaboration with the ALBA Scientific Data Management Section.
• Develop your own scientific program, along the lines of the FaXToR project 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.
• 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.

Applications that do not present the aforementioned or required documentation during the selection procedure will not be accepted.

The Successful Candidate Must Have

• A PhD in physics, biomedical engineering, or related disciplines;
• At least one year employment at a synchrotron light facility
  
  

The working language at ALBA is English.

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 phase contrast X-ray imaging/techniques. (20 points)
• Experience on image reconstruction and post-processing. (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 on technological development for phase contrast X-ray imaging, including dark field and speckle-based imaging. (15 points)
• Programming skills of data processing pipelines. (10 points)
• Experience on user support in research facilities. (10 points)
• Experience in experimental protocols, especially related to bio-samples preparation for hard X-ray imaging (10)
• Good interpersonal and communication skills. (5 points)
• Ability to interact with providers and facility users. (5 points)
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team. (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.

The Selection Board is composed by the following members: Alessandra Patera, Judith Juanhuix Gibert, Steven Wohl, Joaquín Otón, Klaus Attenkofer.