In Grenoble, France, the ESRF operates a state-of-the-art storage ring for 6 GeV electrons 24 hrs/day as a high brilliance synchrotron radiation source for the production of X-rays. The financing of the ESRF is shared by sixteen countries mainly European. Thirty ESRF beamlines are open to users. The ESRF supports scientists in the implementation of fundamental and applied research on the structure of condensed matter in fields such as

Physics, Chemistry, Crystallography, Earth Science, Biology and Medicine, Surface and Materials Science.

The Experiments Division designs, constructs and runs the ESRF experimental stations (= beamlines). Within this division the Material Science group is now seeking to recruit a:

Post-doctoral fellow (m/f)

THE FUNCTION:

You will be involved in research with the beamline scientists and will also assist external users in doing their experiments. You will be attached to beamline ID09B, which is designed for time-resolved experiments on crystals and liquids. We use short x-ray pulses to take snapshots of moving atoms and molecules in a chemical reaction. The experiments are typically run in the following way: a short laser pulse provokes a change in the structure of a molecule and delayed x-ray pulses are used to probe the evolving structure. As an example one can look at the photo-dissociation of CO from the Fe-CO bond in myoglobin. Not only can we follow the motion of the CO-molecule in the crystal, but we can also see how the surrounding protein is deformed (Biochemistry, vol. 40, p 13802, 2001). We have also studied the inverse reaction: the formation of a molecule from atomic constituencies in a liquid (Physical Review Letters, vol. 87(19), p 195508-1, 2001).

The beamline has just been refurbished with a new x-ray source and optics. The improved intensity of the x-ray beam will enable us to see finer details in the atomic structure of reacting molecules. Many scientists visit and use the beamline every year, which makes it easy to start new collaborations and experiments. See http://www.esrf.fr/exp_facilities/ID9/id9.html for a description of the beamline and recent publications.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

You should hold a Ph.D. in physics or physical chemistry. Experience in either crystallography or laser spectroscopy is an advantage.

The working language at the ESRF is English.

OUR OFFER:

The ESRF shares a site with several other major European scientific institutes, it offers an exciting opportunity in an international atmosphere. Installation allowances will be given to new staff coming from outside the Grenoble area, and an expatriation allowance can be given according to specific internal regulations. Only candidates holding a Ph.D. obtained less than 3 years ago are eligible for Post-doctoral positions. Post-doctoral fellows are employed for a two year-period with a possibility of extension to three years and the contract will start as soon as possible. Further information on the post can be obtained from Michael Wulff (Tel.: +33 (0)4 76 88 23 79, email: wulff@esrf.fr).

If you are interested, please send us a fax (+33 (0)4 76 88 24 60) or an e-mail (recruitm@esrf.fr) with your address, and we will provide you with an application form. Or print out an application form on the World Wide Web http://www.esrf.fr/. In addition to the application form, you should provide us with a detailed CV and the names of two referees.

Deadline for returning the application forms: 01 March 2002

Applications received after the deadline may be considered for the selected vacancy if not filled or for future similar positions.