Research Infrastructure Specialist for the X-ray Laboratory

Description
Please note that this is an abridged version of the advert. To view the full advert, please click “Apply here” or visit Uppsala University's jobs website.
The Inorganic Chemistry research programme has Sweden's best-equipped X-ray laboratory for powder and thin-film diffraction (https://www.uu.se/institution/kemi-angstrom/forskning/oorganisk-kemi/forskningsinfrastruktur/rontgenlaboratoriet). Powder diffraction is used for phase analysis and structure determination. Equipment is also available for in situ measurements at high and low temperatures. Low-angle diffraction is used to enhance the intensity from surface layers. Many thin films have texture and residual stress, and equipment is available that provides high intensity for these measurements. The X-ray laboratory is used as a shared resource within the Ångström Laboratory and is also open to external users. We can also carry out commissioned analyses for companies / organisations on a limited basis.
Duties
A research infrastructure specialist's duties include development and other research-support work within the research infrastructure, including providing specialist expertise, advice, and technical and/or methodological services and development. Other types of duties may also arise, such as research, teaching and administrative work related to a research infrastructure, as well as applying for funding for the infrastructure from external/internal funders.
You will:
As part of the X-ray laboratory, commission and maintain diffractometers and prepare them for internal and external users
Independently design and develop experimental methods in collaboration with the rest of the team
Present the X-ray laboratory and related research results at scientific conferences and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals
Initiate and lead instrument upgrades at the X-ray laboratory to grow the user group and broaden the research programmes
Work with academic partners to develop new research grant applications
Ensure compliance with environmental, safety, health and quality programme requirements

Qualifications
Applicants must have completed a doctoral degree in a subject relevant to the position, or acquired equivalent scientific competence, and demonstrated scientific, technical and methodological expertise of great importance to the work of the research infrastructure. Other skills relevant to the duties of the position may also be required.
Applicants must have at least five years of documented technical experience in the field of X-ray scattering on advanced materials, and must have documented ability to develop and carry out advanced experiments in X-ray diffraction.
Education: Completed doctoral degree in a subject relevant to the position, or acquired and documented equivalent scientific competence.
Experience:
Demonstrated high scientific, technical and methodological expertise in X-ray diffraction
Documented experience of developing and publishing experimental methods in X-ray diffraction or equivalent
Documented experience of applying as a principal investigator for, obtaining and carrying out experiments at large-scale research infrastructure for X-ray scattering
Experience installing/maintaining complex analytical equipment for X-ray diffraction or equivalent.
Documented experience of obtaining research funding from external funders

Knowledge: Very high level of expertise in at least three of these methods:
Structure solving using diffraction methods. Structural analysis using powder methods (the Rietveld method).
Powder diffraction
Total scattering with pair distribution function analysis
Single-crystal diffraction
Thin-film diffraction on both epitaxial and polycrystalline thin-film materials
X-ray reflectivity
In situ experiments using X-ray diffraction
Texture analysis using diffraction

Competencies, i.e. abilities, skills and qualities.
Leadership ability. The employee is expected to be able to independently lead and develop the infrastructure and interact with the wider research environment.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
The employee must be safety-conscious and have a very high level of laboratory competence.
Ability to communicate in English to an international scientific audience.

Other requirements: Ability to work independently, take initiative and be willing to contribute creatively as part of a collaborative team, both internally and externally.

Great importance will be placed on personal suitability. Consideration will be given, for example, to good collaboration skills, initiative and independence, as well as how the applicant's experience and expertise are considered to complement and strengthen the work of the infrastructure (and contribute to its future development).
Desirable/additional qualifications:
Experience with complementary experimental methods, particularly neutron diffraction or electron diffraction.
Programming in Python or equivalent.
Teaching experience in diffraction methods.
Ability to communicate in Swedish, both spoken and written.
Experience of leadership/laboratory management for other types of research infrastructure is an advantage.

Terms
The position is permanent, with a probationary period potentially applicable. The position is full-time. Starting date by agreement. Location: Uppsala
For information about the position, contact Martin Sahlberg, martin.sahlberg@kemi.uu.se.
Please submit your application by 16 November 2026, UFV-PA 2026/2774.
https://uu.se/om-uu/jobba-hos-oss/
The position may be subject to a security vetting process. If a security vetting process is carried out, employment is conditional on the applicant being approved.
We decline offers of assistance with recruitment and advertising.
Applications are accepted through Uppsala University's recruitment system.
Union representatives: Saco-S - saco-s@uu.se, Seko - seko@uadm.uu.se, ST (OFR/S) - ofr@uu.se