Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) is seeking a researcher in macromolecular crystallography

The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), located in Grenoble, France, is Europe's leading research facility for scientific research using neutrons. Every year, we host over 2000 visits by scientists who come to the Institute to carry out world-class research.

The LSS (Large Scale Structures) group comprises a range of instruments designed to carry out studies on the structure of matter on a scale of one to hundreds of nanometres. These include instruments for small-angle scattering, reflectometry, and diffraction from single crystals or one or two-dimensionally ordered materials. The range of science covered is very broad, from polymer and colloid science through structural molecular biology to materials science and magnetic phenomena.

Working within the LSS Group in the field of Macromolecular Crystallography (MX), in addition to carrying out your own active research programme, you will be responsible for the tasks listed below.

Your tasks

• Co-managing the instruments LADI-III and DALI, participating in the day-to-day running and maintenance of the instruments, as well as their technical development and upgrades.
• Providing support to users for scientific experiments and helping them collect data in an optimal manner.
• Promoting scientific partnerships in your field of research and developing new user collaborations.

LADI-III and DALI are two quasi-Laue diffractometers, both dedicated to high-resolution crystallographic studies of biological macromolecules in order to locate H-atoms of special interest, providing information on protonation states, H-bonding, and hydration. Such information is often critical for understanding biomacromolecular function and behaviour, such as enzyme mechanisms and ligand-binding, and can be used to assist in drug design.

Your profile

• PhD in physics, biophysics, or chemistry.
• We are particularly interested in highly motivated candidates with experience in neutron macromolecular crystallography and structural biology who are keen to carry out a personal research programme while also developing new collaborations through assisting users in their neutron studies. We also expect the candidate to contribute to the scientific environment in the area of life sciences at the ILL.
• You must have a sound knowledge of English and be willing to learn French (a language course will be paid for by the ILL).

The post represents an excellent opportunity for young postdoctoral scientists to develop their expertise, broaden their experience, and interact with leading scientists from around the world. Applications from more experienced scientists able to obtain a secondment period from their home institution will also be considered.

What we offer

• Quality of life - This position is based in Grenoble, a hub for research and technology, ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport, and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement, and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!
• Prospects - We guarantee you a stable 5-year fixed-term contract position in a multicultural scientific environment.
• Benefits - We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions), and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities. For more details, visit here (https://www.ill.eu/careers/working-at-the-ill/employment-conditions).

Sounds interesting?

Then why not take your next career step with us by applying online - preferably in English - via our career portal by 01.03.2026, quoting reference number 26/08, with a list of publications and the names of 3 referees, including one from your present workplace. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening (background checks). For this post, medical fitness, including for work under ionising radiation, is required.

We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.