Summer Worker SoftiMAX Beamline (PA2026/691)

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Lunds universitet, MAX IV, Science division

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked among the world’s top universities. The University has around 47 000 students and more than 8 800 staff based in Lund, Helsingborg and Malmö. We are united in our efforts to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition.

Lund University welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We regard gender equality and diversity as a strength and an asset.

The SoftiMAX beamline at MAX IV Laboratory is offering an 8-week summer student project focused on extending the lifetime of STXM zone plates through controlled in-house cleaning and process validation.

Background / motivation
In soft X-ray Scanning Transmission X-ray Microscopy (STXM), the zone plate is the main focusing optic and a critical, high-value component. During experiments the zone plate can be illuminated for days to weeks by intense soft X-rays (?250-2500 eV) under vacuum (~10?5 mbar). In the presence of residual hydrocarbons this often leads to visible carbon contamination (also observed on other optical surfaces), degrading performance. Developing a gentle, repeatable cleaning process would directly benefit beamline operations and user experiments by keeping zone plates usable for longer.

Project goal
Design, implement, and characterize a gentle UV/ozone-based cleaning method in a controlled atmosphere, and establish a repeatable "dose vs. carbon removal" recipe using test samples. The work will include both hardware and measurement/validation.

What you will do

• Prepare and contaminate test substrates (Si3N4 chips) using an in-house carbon deposition system to create controlled "carbon layers"
• Build and instrument a small UV/ozone cleaning chamber (stainless/quartz, fume hood compatible), with basic sensing (e.g., ozone trend, humidity/temperature) and safe operating procedures
• Implement a simple controller/data logger (Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to run reproducible cleaning cycles (timing, purge steps, logging)
• Quantify cleaning performance and repeatability using optical inspection (optical microscope) and, where available, access to advanced characterization methods (potentially including STXM and/or AFM)
• Deliver a short operating procedure and recommended cleaning parameters suitable for routine beamline use, plus a brief report of results.

Who you are

• Background in Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Materials Science, or a related field
• Comfortable with hands-on lab work and basic instrumentation
• Experience (or strong interest) in programming microcontrollers / embedded systems (Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Python, C/C++)
• Interest in microscopy, surface science, vacuum systems, optics, or beamline instrumentation is a plus
• Safety-minded and conscientious with experimental procedures.

What you get

• A practical R&D project with clear real-world impact on a national research facility
• Experience with soft X-ray microscopy instrumentation, vacuum/optics, and surface characterization
• A fun, hands-on build + measurement project with room for creativity and ownership

Practical details
Duration: ~8 weeks (summer 2026), flexible start date.
Location: MAX IV Laboratory, Lund.
Supervision: SoftiMAX beamline staff.

To apply, please send a short CV and a brief note (half a page is enough) describing your relevant experience and why you’re interested.

What we offer
When you join our MAX IV team, you step into a world of front edge science. We make the invisible visible by supporting scientist from all over the world, generating scientific results for the benefit of society. We offer you a multicultural work environment with great opportunities for personal development with respect for a healthy work-life balance.

Would you like to work in a challenging and supporting environment? Then join us and take the opportunity to make a real difference!

For further information, please visit:
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Type of employment
Summer job

Contract type
Full time

First day of employment
As per agreement

Salary
Monthly salary

Number of positions
1

Full-time equivalent
100

City
Lund

County
Skåne län

Country
Sweden

Reference number
PA2026/691

Contact

• Karina Thånell, +46462226553, karina.thanellmaxiv.lu.se

Union representative

• OFR/S:Fackförbundet ST:s kansli, 046-2229362, stst.lu.se
• SACO:Saco-s-rådet vid Lunds , 046-2229364, kanslisaco-s.lu.se

Published
11.Mar.2026

Last application date
29.Mar.2026

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