Staff Scientist - SSRL HAXPES Beamline/Program Development

Position Overview

Job Description

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 Staff 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.

About the Role

You will join the Materials Science Division and become an integral member of a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment that combines staff-led scientific programs with close engagement and collaboration with the SSRL user community. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a flagship SSRL beamline while advancing impactful research in microelectronics, semiconductor materials, quantum information science, and related fields.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline, with a minimum of 4 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.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of post-PhD research experience.
• Research excellence in materials science, supported by publications and experimental achievements.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• 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.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Benefits

Note: Appointment at the Staff 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.

Pay and Schedule

The expected pay range for this position is $175,461 - $207,470 per annum.

Schedule

On-site work is required.

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 his or her job. Given the nature of this position, on-site work is required.

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

None specified.

Working Conditions

None specified.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University Policies and Procedures

• 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.
• To Be Successful In This Position, You Will Bring Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline, with a minimum of 4 years of post-PhD research experience.
• Preference may be given to candidates with research experience in microelectronics or closely related fields.
• Preference may be given to candidates with technical expertise in synchrotron beamline or endstation development, including operando or in situ sample environments.
• Preference may be given to candidates with proficiency in data analysis, scripting, and scientific programming tools.