XAS Industry scientist

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. 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 position offers a unique opportunity for professional development by working with a team of ALBA experts, external collaborators and users to fully develop the capabilities of the X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) instruments, in particular to the CLAESS, NOTOS and/or BOREAS beamlines, in close concert with the Industrial Liaison Office of ALBA which fosters innovation and competitiveness through the proprietary use of the advanced synchrotron techniques by the industry on a collaborative, multicultural, international and stimulating work environment.

We seek a highly motivated individual to deal with the intensive industrial and innovation program to boost the collaboration of ALBA with industry by supporting and exploiting the XAS technique and for taking advantage of the technology transfer opportunities. Typical application areas are batteries, semiconductors and catalysis.

The functions of the successful candidate will be as follows:

1. To provide support to the users of different XAS instruments, in particular the industry users.
2. To provide support to the scientific and industrial projects involving the XAS techniques.
3. To provide full support for experiments preparation, data collection, analysis, interpretation and the generation of meaningful reports to the industry clients.
4. To support the industry clients related with XAS techniques to understand their needs and to provide them guidance before, during and after the service provision.
5. To understand the industry client needs and to help in developing the ALBA capabilities related to XAS.
6. To organise and to participate in national and international outreach events to promote the use of synchrotron techniques by the industry.
7. To support technology transfer activities.

The candidate selected for this position will work at the CLAESS beamline in close collaboration with the BOREAS and NOTOS beamline teams. The candidate will support all the private companies willing to use the industry services of the ALBA Synchrotron.

The successful candidate must:

1. Hold a PhD degree in Physics, Chemistry, Material Science or related disciplines at the signature of the contract.
2. Have a good command of written and spoken English. The working language in 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.

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:

1. Experience in fields like catalysis, energy storage or environmental sciences with strong emphasis in XAS results (10 points)
2. Experience in programming languages, especially in Python (5 points)
3. Industry experience related to XAS techniques (5 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 the following aspects, among others:

1. Presentation of professional experience (15 points)
2. Auto-assessment presentation of soft skills (15 points)
3. Vision presentation of the job position (15 points)
4. Presentation of motivation for applying (5 points)
5. Showing a good customer service attitude (5 points)

The merits will be accredited by means of the CV attached to the application. The selection body 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 Board Selection 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 body 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.

Temporary contract. The maximum duration of this position is linked to the industry income related to XAS techniques. Initial duration is for two years and extension is possible providing sufficient industry income and positive assessment.

The Selection Board is composed by the following members: Klaus Attenkofer, Manuel Valvidares Suárez, Laura Simonelli, Carlo Marini and Marta Ávila Pérez.