Jobs in Structural Biology and Related Fields


Beamline Data Scientist - Macromolecular Crystallography


Paul Scherrer Institute, Villigen, Switzerland
Application deadline: 09 Feb 2020


The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. PSI perform cutting-edge research in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health.

The Swiss Light Source SLS is one of the most advanced synchrotron radiation sources worldwide and its upgrade project SLS 2.0 toward diffraction limited storage ring is planned for 2023/24. The SLS Macromolecular Crystallography MX group operates two high performance undulator beamlines as well as a state-of-the-art superbending magnet beamline for MX. The group focuses on methods development in MX including advanced beamline instrumentation, novel X-Ray detectors, emerging data collection methods for experimental phasing, in situ serial crystallography, and time-resolved crystallography. Currently, three upgrades of MX beamlines for SLS 2.0 are being designed. To fully exploit the brightness enhancement of SLS 2.0, PSI envision a paradigm shift from the current data-exploration approaches to the future data-driven approaches at the next generation MX beamlines.

Your tasks

You will be a part of the MX group and participate in development and user operation of the three MX beamlines at the SLS. Your main tasks in collaboration with PSI detector and IT groups are:

  • Develop high performance data acquisition system for the next generation high frame-rate X-Ray detectors such as JUNGFRAU
  • Develop innovative and sustainable hardware/software solutions for high data-rate MX applications in SLS and SLS 2.0
  • Optimization of data compression, real-time analysis, and storage
  • Explore new computing technologies like machine learning for self-driving beamline operation and self-learning MX experiment and data analysis
  • Integrate network-based ancillary beamline hardware (IoT) in the operation work-flow
  • Support high data-rate user operation of MX beamlines at SLS/SLS 2.0 and SwissFEL
  • Opportunities to develop your own research including pursuing 3rd party funding
    Supervision of assigned personnel, mentoring of PhD students and Postdocs

Your profile

You hold a PhD degree in natural science or related field, and have substantial experience in high data-rate synchrotron experiments, e. g. MX. A track record of applying modern computing environments to enable scientific research is required. As a teamplayer you will work in a stimulating international environment, giving you excellent opportunities for new initiatives. Very good command of English is mandatory, and knowledge of German is an advantage.

Villigen, Switzerland

Beamline Data Scientist - Macromolecular Crystallography