Assistant Beamline Scientist - PtychoProbe

Argonne National Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 94,486 - 147,398; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Collaborative research environment

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a motivated scientist to join the PtychoProbe team. This role focuses on developing and operating the state-of-the-art PtychoProbe beamline for groundbreaking scientific research. The successful candidate will be involved in commissioning, user support, and collaborative method development in areas like materials and quantum sciences.

This position demands a PhD and experience in relevant fields like experimental x-ray science. Candidates will also support user experiments and present research results widely. This is a full-time role with a competitive salary range based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field required.
• Experience in experimental x-ray science or microscopy preferred.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to commissioning and development of the PtychoProbe beamline.
• Support users in scientific experiments, including data analysis.
• Develop advanced microscopy methods for research applications.

Skills

Experimental x-ray science

Microscopy

Data analysis and interpretation

Interpersonal communication

Education

PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, or engineering

Tools

Computational tools for scientific data

Job description

The Microscopy Group of the X-ray Science Division (XSD) operates advanced microprobe and nanoprobe beamlines, develops novel instrumentation and methods, and pursues collaborative research in materials, energy, life, and quantum sciences. PtychoProbe (33-ID) is a state‑of‑the‑art hard x‑ray nanoprobe designed for high‑resolution structural imaging with complementary chemical sensitivity, enabling two‑ and three‑dimensional studies of complex and thick specimens and helping bridge capabilities between x‑ray and electron microscopy. We seek a highly motivated scientist to join the PtychoProbe team and contribute to commissioning, operation, user support, and method development for this new beamline.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to commissioning, operation, and continued development of the PtychoProbe beamline.
• Support users in planning and carrying out scientific experiments, including data analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate with beamline staff and partner groups to develop advanced microscopy methods, instrumentation, and workflows for the upgraded APS.
• Contribute to scientific applications enabled by the beamline in areas such as materials, energy, chemical, life, or quantum sciences.
• Present research results through publications, conferences, and scientific meetings.
• May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

• PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience in experimental x‑ray science, synchrotron methods, beamline instrumentation, microscopy, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to scientific instrumentation, experimental methods, or data analysis.
• Experience analyzing scientific data using modern computational tools and scientific programming environments.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a collaborative, team‑based research environment.
• Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
• Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the laboratory.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Familiarity with one or more advanced x‑ray microscopy methods, such as ptychography, x‑ray fluorescence microscopy, tomography, or multimodal imaging.
• Experience with synchrotron beamline instrumentation such as optics, detectors, motion systems, interferometry, controls, or data acquisition workflows.
• Experience supporting user experiments or collaborating with external scientific users.
• Experience in one or more application areas such as materials science, energy science, chemical science, life science, or quantum materials.
• Familiarity with scientific software development, controls software, high‑throughput data analysis, or AI/ML‑enabled workflows.

The successful candidate will develop expertise in PtychoProbe methods, instrumentation, and workflows through close collaboration with beamline staff, users, and partner scientists.

Job Family: Research Development (RD)

Job Profile: Physics 2

Worker Type: Regular

Time Type: Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. 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, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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