Associate Scientist - SSRL HAXPES Beamline

Stanford Reglab; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, seeks an Associate Scientist to drive the design, construction, and commissioning of a state-of-the-art HAXPES/PEEM beamline. The role emphasizes developing an independent research program in microelectronics, semiconductor devices, and buried interfaces, while supporting SSRL users and collaborations with external partners.

The successful candidate will contribute to beamline development, scientific leadership, and program growth within a

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline with post-PhD experience.
• Demonstrated research excellence in materials science with publications and experimental achievements.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• Experience developing, operating, and maintaining complex experimental systems at a synchrotron facility.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design, development, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline and endstation.
• Translate scientific requirements into technical specifications for optics, monochromators, electron analyzer, and sample environments.
• Lead and collaborate with engineers, staff, and scientists to build robust instrumentation and optimize performance.
• Develop a research program and publish results, while supporting SSRL user activities.

Skills

Research leadership

Independent & collaborative work

Communication skills

Instrumentation design

Education

Ph.D. in physics/applied physics/materials science

Tools

HAXPES

PEEM

Synchrotron beamline

Endstation development

Job description

Position Overview:

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 Associate Scientist to contribute to the design, construction, commissioning of this new beamline and, once it is in operation, to scientific program development and user support.

The successful candidate 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 an excellent opportunity to contribute to a flagship SSRL beamline while developing independent research in microelectronics, semiconductor materials, quantum information science, and related fields.

Your specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Beamline and Endstation Development

• Contribute to the design, development, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline and associated endstation.
• 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.
• Participate in system integration, testing, commissioning, and performance optimization.

Scientific Research and Leadership

• Develop a research program using HAXPES/PEEM, aligned with the mission of the SSRL Materials Science Division.
• Conduct innovative research in areas such as microelectronics, semiconductor devices, thin films, heterostructures, and buried interfaces.
• Collaborate with SSRL scientists, academic users, and external partners.
• Publish research 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.

Note: This position is posted at the Associate Staff Scientist level. The Associate Scientist position is a 3-to-5-year fixed‑term position and the entry level in the Staff Scientist career path. The Associate Scientist position is scheduled to be assessed after the 3-to-5-year period, with the possibility of appointment to the Staff Scientist level.

Application materials must include a cover letter, a research statement (including a brief-summary of accomplishments), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for three 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 a related discipline, with a minimum of two 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.

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• 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.