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Careers / Research Area
Research Associate within the CHIRAX project
Deadline: 06 November 2025Ref: DB/25/34
Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste is an international multidisciplinary research center offering international users access to synchrotron and free-electron laser radiation for the characterization and processing of matter. The extremely high quality of the light sources and beamlines has set new performance records and has been producing results of great scientific and technological interest. In order to allow the laboratory to remain competitive in the next 20 years, an entirely new synchrotron radiation source - Elettra 2.0 - belonging to the new generation of storage rings (DLSR or Diffraction Limited Storage Ring) is being installed and will join the already operating free-electron source FERMI in the second half of 2026. The new source will exhibit a major increase in the brilliance and coherence fraction of the photon beams. The Elettra 2.0 optics is based on our enhanced symmetric six bend achromat structure (S6BA-E) with a 12-fold symmetry and an emittance of 200 pm-rad at 2.4 GeV. The new structure creates also straight sections in the arcs permitting the installation of additional insertion devices, thus increasing the number of beamlines. Existing beamlines are being upgraded and new beamlines constructed to take full advantage of the characteristics of Elettra 2.0. See http://www.elettra.eu for more information.
The CHIRAX project (chirax.elettra.eu/) funded by the European Research Council aims at implementing steady-state and time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy of chiral molecules in solution using circular and helical dichroism. The steady-state part is carried out at synchrotrons, while the time-resolved part exploits synchrotrons, XFELs and HHG sources.
The successful candidate will work on the installation, characterization and optimization of the CHIRAX experimental apparatus in collaboration with the other members of the CHIRAX team. He/she will contribute to the research activities of the CHIRAX group, including R&D of novel instrumentation for X-ray spectroscopies and experimental campaign at synchrotrons, XFELs and HHG sources.
A master’s degree in Physics, Physical Chemistry or related discipline with specific expertise in laser and/or X-ray spectroscopy is required. The candidate should have earned his/her Master Degree no more than 4 years ago.
A proven track record in the following areas is required:
- Liquid jets under vacuum
- X-ray optics and related instrumentation
The following qualifications will be considered as positive assets:
- Previous participation in experimental campaigns at XFELs and/or synchrotrons.
- Experience in data processing
Good oral and written communication skills in English are essential. A working knowledge of the Italian language would be desirable.
The successful candidates should possess strong personal skills favouring collaborative research programs in a team-oriented environment. Solid management skills and ability to prioritize are expected, together with the ability to interact with a multi-disciplinary team and the staff of the facility.
