Associate Staff Scientist - Operando Electron Microscopy and Ultrafast Quantum Science

Abundance Network; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA, seeks an Associate Staff Scientist to develop and apply advanced TEM, in situ TEM, and time-resolved materials characterization for electrochemical scale-up and ultrafast quantum research.

The role collaborates with PULSE and LCLS to study catalysts, interfaces, and materials evolution under operating conditions, with on-site work and cross-lab collaboration.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• 0–2 years of postdoctoral or postgraduate research experience.
• Expertise in advanced electron microscopy and related methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply TEM, in situ/operando microscopy, 4D-STEM, EELS, and related approaches to study functional materials.
• Investigate catalysts, interfaces, and materials for degradation, restructuring, and scale-relevant behavior.
• Build correlative workflows linking electron microscopy with X-ray spectroscopy, scattering, and imaging methods with PULSE ultrafast science.

Skills

Aberration-corrected TEM/STEM

In situ/operando TEM

4D-STEM

EELS

Ultrafast electron microscopy

Correlative workflows

X-ray spectroscopy integration

Education

PhD degree in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or related discipline

Job description

Position Overview:

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking an Associate Staff Scientist to develop and apply advanced transmission electron microscopy, in-situ transmission electron microscopy, and time-resolved materials characterization approaches in support of electrochemical scale-up science and ultrafast quantum research. The position will be supported across multiple aligned efforts, with a primary focus on SCCALE, the Solutions Center for Commercial Advancement of Large-Scale Electrochemistry, and a strong collaborative component with the Stanford PULSE Institute.

The scientist will work at the interface of electrochemical/catalytic materials, nanoscale microscopy, ultrafast science, and advanced characterization. Within SCCALE, the scientist will help understand how catalysts, electrodes, interfaces, membranes, and device-relevant materials evolve as electrochemical technologies move from laboratory studies toward larger-scale operation. The work will emphasize electron microscopy and correlative characterization methods that reveal materials restructuring, degradation pathways, local heterogeneity, and structure-performance relationships under relevant operating or post-operation conditions.

In partnership with PULSE, the scientist will contribute to the growth of quantum science and time-resolved microscopy activities at SLAC. This effort will connect advanced TEM, in situ and operando microscopy, ultrafast optical approaches, and X-ray-based methods to study functional materials under transient, driven, or non-equilibrium conditions. The role will strengthen collaboration across SSRL, PULSE, LCLS, and Stanford communities by linking energy science, X-ray characterization, ultrafast science, and microscopy into a more integrated experimental program.

A future-facing component of the position will involve collaboration with the LCLS MeV-UED team to explore opportunities for more advanced sample environments and operando-compatible concepts for ultrafast electron diffraction. This activity is expected to develop over time in coordination with future programmatic opportunities and available resources.

The scientist will work closely with multidisciplinary teams across SLAC, Stanford, national laboratories, and external collaborators to develop case studies that demonstrate how advanced microscopy and correlative characterization can guide materials design, diagnose failure mechanisms, and support the scale-up of electrochemical and energy-relevant technologies.

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.

Applicants must hold a PhD degree or provide formal confirmation of completion of the PhD degree requirements prior to starting the position. 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. Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require on-site work.

Your specific responsibilities include

• Develop and apply advanced TEM, in situ/operando electron microscopy, 4D-STEM, EELS, and related microscopy approaches to study functional materials relevant in SLAC energy-science programs.
• Investigate catalysts, interfaces, and related materials used in catalytic systems and reactors, with emphasis on degradation, restructuring, heterogeneity, and scale-relevant behavior.
• Develop correlative workflows that connect electron microscopy with X-ray spectroscopy, scattering, and imaging methods and with PULSE ultrafast science approaches.
• Work with PULSE researchers to build time-resolved microscopy and ultrafast quantum science activities at SLAC.
• Collaborate with LCLS MeV-UED scientists to identify future opportunities for operando-compatible or environmentally controlled sample platforms for ultrafast electron diffraction.
• Contribute to publications, proposals, reports, user support, and presentations related to advanced microscopy and correlative characterization.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends as needed in support of experiments, activities, and facility operations.

To be successful in this position you will bring

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline, with minimum 0-2 years of postdoctoral or postgraduate research experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced electron microscopy, such as aberration-corrected TEM/STEM, in situ or operando TEM, 4D-STEM, EELS, ultrafast electron microscopy, or related methods.
• Experience studying functional materials