Lead Scientist - SSRL HAXPES Beamline

About the Role

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a Directorate of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is developing a state-of-the-art Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy / Photoemission Electron Microscopy (HAXPES/PEEM) beamline with a strong focus on probing electronic and chemical states in buried layers of functional devices, particularly for microelectronics applications. We seek an outstanding Lead Scientist to play a leading scientific and technical role in the design, construction, commissioning of this new beamline, and - once in operation - in scientific program development and user support.

Responsibilities

• Beamline and Endstation Development
  • Provide scientific leadership for and contribute to the conceptual design, technical development, construction, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline and associated endstation.
  • Promote and represent the scientific objectives of the beamline to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Define and translate scientific requirements into technical specifications for beamline optics, monochromators, electron analyzer, and sample environments optimized for hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
  • Work closely with the project manager, engineers, technical staff, and scientists to develop robust, high-performance instrumentation.
  • Oversee system integration, testing, commissioning, and performance optimization.
• Scientific Research and Leadership
  • Develop and lead an independent and competitive research program using HAXPES/PEEM, aligned with the mission of the SSRL Materials Science Division.
  • Conduct frontier research in areas such as microelectronics, semiconductor devices, thin films, heterostructures, and buried interfaces.
  • Lead and participate in collaborative research projects involving SSRL staff, academic users, industrial partners, and other national laboratories.
  • Publish high-impact scientific results and present research at conferences and workshops.
• User Program Development and Collaboration
  • Play a central role in establishing and growing the HAXPES/PEEM user program at SSRL.
  • Engage with the user community to identify emerging scientific opportunities and guide the evolution of beamline capabilities.
  • Support users throughout the experimental lifecycle, including experimental design, beamtime execution, and data analysis.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive user training and outreach activities, including workshops, tutorials, and documentation.
• Operations, Service, and Division Engagement
  • Manage routine beamline operations, endstation maintenance, and continuous performance improvement.
  • Ensure safe operation of the beamline in accordance with SLAC and DOE requirements.
  • Contribute to division-wide scientific initiatives, mentoring, outreach, and strategic planning.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline, with a minimum of 8 years of post-PhD research experience.
• Demonstrated research excellence in materials science, supported by publications and experimental achievements.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• Demonstrated competence in developing, operating, and maintaining complex experimental systems at a synchrotron radiation facility.
• Experience with facility operations and user support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Research experience in microelectronics or closely related fields.
• Technical expertise in synchrotron beamline or endstation development, including operando or in situ sample environments.
• Proficiency in data analysis, scripting, and scientific programming tools.

Note: Appointment at the Lead Scientist level is a regular-continuing position and requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievements, with approval by the Directorate Appointment and Promotion Committee. Applicants should include a cover letter, a research statement (including a summary of accomplishments), a curriculum vitae, a publication list, and the names of five references for future letters of recommendation.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.