What is your job at ALBA?

My job as a beamline scientist consists in giving support to academic and industrial users to carry out their experiments. They come to ALBA and we use the synchrotron light to obtain specific data about the materials under study. More specifically, I work at the NCD-SWEET beamline, the X-ray scattering beamline.

We also have time to do our own research. I am currently working on the investigation of new materials for energy and catalysis using synchrotron radiation. For example, the characterization of materials for energy generation, such as solar cells, or the controlled synthesis of materials for catalysis by a technique called Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD).

What do you enjoy the most about your job at ALBA?

ALBA has a highly multidisciplinary environment, so you can always learn new things from colleagues and beamline users who have many different backgrounds. Currently, one of the projects I am excited about is the technical development of the NCD-SWEET beamline, which is a continuous work. On the other hand, I am also involved in the design of the next beamline of ALBA, 3Sbar. It will be dedicated to the understanding of fundamental processes in catalytic reactions and is expected to be in operation by 2026.

Did you know ALBA before working for it?

Yes, I visited ALBA for the first time when it was in the construction phase still, during my Bachelor’s Degree. Later on, I came again while studying for my Master’s Degree dedicated to synchrotron radiation; some of the classes were at ALBA and many of the beamline scientists were also the teachers. Moreover, I was a user of ALBA during my Ph.D. Eventually, a position for a beamline associated postdoctoral researcher was open and I applied and got selected. A few years after, I applied for the position of beamline scientist, which I have nowadays.

Any differences with previous jobs?

Yes. Before working for ALBA, my job was 100% dedicated to research, but now it is 50% research and 50% technological development. I like it a lot because it gives you access to broad and diverse knowledge that you can blend together. Scientific knowledge can be applied to the technique, and technical knowledge can be applied to science.

Do you collaborate with other research institutions?

Yes, it is a fundamental part of our work. I collaborate with some beamlines at the European Synchrotron Research Facility (ESRF) and the Synchrotron SOLEIL, both in France. I also keep collaborating closely with the Ghent University (Belgium), where I worked as a postdoctoral researcher. Furthermore, we have a project between the NCD-SWEET beamline and the Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC) which is somewhat a continuation of what I did during my Ph.D. there.

Some of the other beamlines we work with are similar to NCD-SWEET, but others are completely different. In both cases, we complement each other. Either with similar techniques but different tools or with very different techniques that can complement our data.

Which are your hobbies?

I come from the mountains, so I love hiking and skiing. I also enjoy making puzzles and cinema.