Job Title: Project Scientist - LCLS
Posted by: SLAC/Stanford on Apr 21, 2024
Location:
Menlo Park , CAJob Description:
Position overview:
We are seeking a Project Scientist to join the Material Science Department within the Science, Research and Development division of Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), a science directorate at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory. The Project Scientist will help develop new scientific capabilities at the X-ray Pump-Probe (XPP) instrument at LCLS, the world's first hard X-ray free electron laser (FEL); and grow and support a diverse scientific user program, ranging from research in sustainability science to quantum materials.
This position offers the Project Scientist some protected time to peruse personal research. Scientific collaborations with other scientists at SLAC, scientists at other light sources, and LCLS users will be strongly encouraged as well.
LCLS is currently undergoing a major upgrade (LCLS-II-HE) that will enable repetition rates (up to 1MHz), enabling the study of ultrafast dynamics across multiple dimensions such as space, time, energy, and include non-linear processes and dynamics. The upgrade will increase the average coherent flux by orders of magnitude over any other light source and will provide opportunities to make significant advances in experimental capabilities. Time resolved coherent imaging, multi-dimensional spectroscopy, and investigation of femto fluctuations are a few of the fields projected to see major advances.
The candidate will participate in beamline, end-stations and experiment designs at the XPP instrument in the context of both LCLS operations and the LCLS-II-HE upgrade project. The XPP instrument is a world leading x-ray FEL instrument with versatile capabilities with a high potential for novel developments and science. An initial emphasis will be focusing on X-ray FEL diagnostics, X-ray optics, and ultrafast methodologies for structural dynamics in materials. The candidate is also expected to both support and develop original research experiments utilizing the ultrafast capabilities available at LCLS.
Note: The Project Scientist role is a fixed term staff position. This is a 3-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding.
Specific Responsibilities (including but not limited to): Development of new beamline optics, diagnostic and ultrafast pump-probe methodologies including future nano-probe and imaging capabilities. Support experimental user operation of LCLS with an emphasis on the X-ray Pump Probe instrument. Contribute to development of new scientific capabilities and directions utilizing the unique capabilities of the upgrade projects such as LCLS-II and LCLS-II HE. Conduct and publish original scientific research. To be successful in this position you will bring: Ph.D. in physical sciences, engineering, or related fields with demonstrated coursework or research in material science. A passion for experimental materials science, and X-ray techniques, especially, those utilizing an XFEL or synchrotron X-ray source Experience in use of large scientific user facilities. Exposure to large volume data collection and analysis. Demonstrated record of publication, with notable achievements in physical science, material science, or engineering, consistent with the candidate's career status Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to multi-task and complete assignments. Proven ability to work independently and to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary research and development team. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse population. In addition, preferred requirements include: Demonstrated experience with X-ray diffraction and scattering. Some experience with ultrafast science. Experience in designing, building, and operating experimental apparatus. Experience with modern laser and X-ray metrology techniques. Knowledge and experience of scientific machine-learning. Some experience in programming in Python SLAC employee competencies: Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner. Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing. Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes. Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward. Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes. Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages. Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals. Physical requirements and working conditions: Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job. Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work. Work Standards: Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1-General Policy and Responsibilities: http://wwwgroup.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable Stanford University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu -------------- Classification Title: Project Scientist Job code: 0112, Employment Duration: 3-year fixed term The expected pay range for this position is $90,000 to $140,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.
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About SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
As one of 17 Department of Energy national labs, SLAC pushes the frontiers of human knowledge and drives discoveries that benefit humankind. We invent the tools that make those discoveries possible and share them with researchers all over the world. X-rays Reveal the Atomic World Our 2-mile-long particle accelerator is the lab’s backbone. Once the scene of major discoveries in particle physics, today it generates the world’s brightest X-rays for our revolutionary X-ray laser, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS). Thousands of researchers come to SLAC to use LCLS and the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource to probe matter in atomic detail. These X-ray studies help scientists understand the fundamental workings of nature and find solutions to real-world problems. Fundamental Science, Practical Benefits When researchers delve into basic details of the world around us, practical benefits often follow. This is true of research at SLAC. In chemistry, “molecular movies” made with our X-ray laser are capturing all the tiny steps of chemical reactions for the first time. This new understanding will help improve reactions that give us fuels, fertilizers and a host of other products. In biology, X-rays reveal how proteins – one of the key molecules of life – function in our bodies and in nature. This research has contributed to the development of medications for melanoma, flu and HIV and is aiding the fight against COVID-19, Ebola, high blood pressure and other ills. SLAC studies of exotic materials with quirky traits could have a profound impact on society, although it may be far in the future. Meanwhile, scientists use our X-ray beams for experiments to improve materials for computer chips, jet planes, refinery operations and “smart windows” that automatically adjust the amount of light coming in, to name a few.Even the accelerator technology developed for basic physics experiments has had a huge impact in medicine and industry, where it shrinks tumors, sterilizes medical supplies and hardens materials, among many other things. SLAC researchers are working to make accelerators much smaller and cheaper so they can accomplish even more. Solving Energy Challenges Many threads of SLAC research come together in the quest for clean, sustainable energy sources. We study how plants make energy from sunlight with an eye to doing the same, and customize chemical reactions for generating clean fuels. Our specialized X-ray equipment allows scientists to watch batteries, solar cells and fuel cells in operation, a crucial step in improving how they work. An Eye on the Cosmos SLAC started more than 50 years ago as a place to discover fundamental particles and forces. Today, our researchers still explore the universe at the largest and smallest scales. At the tiniest scale, we help search for new particles and forces at the Large Hadron Collider in Europe, where the Higgs boson was discovered. At the most sweeping scale, we’re building the world’s biggest digital camera for the widest, deepest survey of the night sky ever undertaken. Our longstanding expertise in building particle detectors is being put to use in experiments that search for dark matter and dark energy, probe the secrets of ghostly neutrinos, look for signs of cosmic inflation and capture high-energy particles from the most violent events in the universe. Key Partnerships Stanford University operates SLAC for the DOE Office of Science. Our five joint research centers and facilities with Stanford focus on cosmology and astrophysics, materials and energy science, catalysis, ultrafast science and cryogenic electron microscopy. SLAC’s location in Silicon Valley and our connections with DOE, Stanford and other leading research centers speed our progress. We also look for ways to work with industry to solve problems and spread the benefits of research out into society.