Instrument Scientist / Postdoc at Neutron Diffractometer POLI

Conducting research for a changing society: This is what drives us at Forschungs­zentrum Jülich. As a member of the Helm­holtz Asso­ciation, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research into the possi­bilities of a digitized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. Work together with around 7,400 employees in one of Europe’s biggest research centers and help us to shape change!

The Jülich Centre for Neutron Science (JCNS) operates at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching near Munich a suite of high-performance neutron scattering instruments. It provides access to these instruments for scientists from universities and research institutions in Germany and throughout the world. Within the user program more than 1,000 scientists visit the MLZ every year to perform experiments in the physical, chemical, biological, and materials sciences.

We are looking to recruit an / a

Instrument Scientist / Postdoc at Neutron Diffractometer POLI

Your Job:

We are looking for a highly motivated instrument scientist to join the state-of-the-art and versatile single crystal neutron diffractometers POLI (polarized hot neutron diffractometer) team at one of the world’s most powerful neutron sources (FRM II). This is a unique opportunity to pursue your own cutting-edge research, for instance in quantum materials for future information technologies and new materials in energy technologies, or to improve neutron diffraction techniques, including computational methods like machine learning. In addition, we also support a lively scientific exchange of our team members with other groups by offering scientists all over the world our neutron instruments to advance their own research.

Your tasks in detail:

• Providing local contact support for users of the neutron diffractometer POLI of JCNS and RWTH Aachen University at MLZ
• Contributing to the instrument development of POLI to meet future experimental challenges and develop experimental techniques to further enhance our research capabilities
• Developing your own scientific program in the framework of the JCNS institutes (JCNS-3 – Neutron Analytics for Energy Research), offering a wide range of complementary methods
• Conducting and disseminating world-class research via publications and presentations at conferences
• Representing and actively working on increasing the user base at MLZ
• Leading the commissioning of the new Polarizer and Analyzer setup of POLI

Your Profile:

• Master’s and subsequent PhD degree in physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, materials science, or a related field
• A strong background in experimental condensed matter research, preferably in magnetism, superconductivity, multiferroics, or a related topic
• Strong record of research demonstrated by diverse publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences
• Track record in using polarized neutron scattering is highly welcomed; knowledge of complementary x-ray scattering techniques is of advantage
• Experience in the development and construction of scientific instruments is appreciated
• Python, C, or C++ are well known programming languages for you, that you love to use
• Ability to work independently and as a team player in JCNS
• You are fluent in spoken and written English; for daily life at work and home we would like you to acquire German skills up to B2 level

Other requirements:

• Provide on-call services when supporting the users’ experiments
• Since this position is in a nuclear facility, a security check will be performed; the successful candidate should be aware of their responsibility and willing to cooperate closely with the radiation protection team

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! We support you in your work with:

• Exciting working environment on an attractive research campus, ideally situated close to the city of Munich
• The position represents an excellent opportunity to carry out research in condensed matter using neutron scattering in a multidisciplinary team at MLZ
• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure at MLZ, at Forschungszentrum Jülich, and RWTH Aachen University
• Promoting professional development through participation in national and international conferences and through various training programs
• Flexible working hours in a full-time position (39 hours / week) with the option of slightly reduced working hours
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
• 30 days of annual leave and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)

You will be initially employed for a fixed term of two years but with the prospect of longer-term employment. Salary and social security benefits will conform to the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund), pay group 13–14, depending on your current qualifications and the precise nature of the tasks assigned to you.

In addition to exciting tasks and a collaborative working atmosphere at Jülich, we have a lot more to offer: https://go.fzj.de/benefits.

Place of employment: Garching (Munich)

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic, and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities, in which everyone can realize their potential, is important to us.

We look forward to receiving your application. The job will be advertised until the position has been successfully filled. You should therefore submit your application as soon as possible via our Online Recruitment System!

Questions about the Offer?

Please feel free to contact us via our contact form. Please note that for technical reasons we cannot accept applications via e-mail.

You can find helpful information on the application and selection process here. You can also find answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs.

www.fz-juelich.de

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