Associate Droplet Delivery Scientist for Time-Resolved XFEL

Abundance Network; Menlo Park (CA); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, seeks an Associate Staff Scientist to lead development of sample delivery systems and apply electrochemical control for studies of catalysts and redox-active systems. You will enhance droplet-based delivery, interface with X-ray instruments, and contribute to time-resolved crystallography and spectroscopy experiments.

The role involves prototyping, testing new approaches, and collaborating with the MFX instrument team to enable

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Physical Chemistry, Applied Physics, or related field and 0-2 years of background in microfluidics and/or mechatronics.
• Hands‑on experience with X‑ray spectroscopy and/or X‑ray diffraction techniques.
• Ability to rapidly prototype and test new techniques and vet them for compatibility with X‑ray instruments.
• Demonstrated record of scientific productivity through peer‑reviewed publications.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to user support activities primarily at the Macromolecular Femtosecond Crystallography (MFX) instrument, developing, optimizing, and constructing advanced sample delivery systems.
• Lead efforts to replicate and improve current start-of-the-art droplet delivery techniques and develop new excitation methods, such as photoactivation or fluid mixing.
• Collaborate with the Sample Environment and Delivery team to ensure compatibility with current systems and propose future droplet-based delivery methods for high repetition rate XFEL upgrades.

Skills

PhD required

X-ray techniques

Rapid prototyping

Publications

Communication

Teamwork

XFEL facility experience

Sample delivery systems

Serial crystallography

Redox biology/chemistry

Python

MATLAB

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, seeks an Associate Staff Scientist to lead development of sample delivery systems and apply electrochemical control for studies of catalysts and redox-active systems. You will enhance droplet-based delivery, interface with X-ray instruments, and contribute to time-resolved crystallography and spectroscopy experiments.

The role involves prototyping, testing new approaches, and collaborating with the MFX instrument team to enable