Beam Line Engineer - x-ray absorption spectroscopy

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 148,000 - 213,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SSRL XAS team seeks a Beam Line Engineer to advance beam line developments, instrumentation, and data analysis for a broad user community. You will optimize optics, train users, and contribute to in-hutch systems and detectors across cryogenic to high-temperature environments.

We value a strong background in synchrotron radiation, hands-on experience with beam line instrumentation, and software development in C/C++, C#, or Python, as well as EPICS-based

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, biochemistry, biophysics, mechanical/electrical engineering or related field and 4 or more years of relevant experience such as in development of synchrotron radiation optics, beam line instrumentation or X‑ray detectors.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated strong ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of scientists, technical staff and user groups; to work well in a team; as well as ability to take individual independent initiative, all in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Work as part of the x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) team to provide specialized technical and methodological support for beam line developments and for scientific users.
• Optimize beam line optics and experimental setups for specific experimental conditions.
• Independently provide training and experiment support on the use of these beam lines, including instrumentation and software, for scientific users.
• Provide guidance to scientific users in optimizing data collection during experiments.
• Contribute to the definition, design, construction and commissioning of in‑hutch instrumentation, for example in‑hutch optics systems; sample delivery and sample cells/environments ranging from cryogenic to high temperatures, and/or under electrochemical, gaseous, chemical control.
• Implement, characterize, operate and enhance state‑of‑the‑art facilities, such as x‑ray optics, electro mechanical systems, cryogenic systems, x‑ray detectors, data acquisition or data analysis software.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends as part of the on‑call user support program.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Interacting with diverse scientists

Team player in fast-paced env

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's or PhD in related field

Tools

EPICS-based instrumentation control

Solid Edge CAD

C/C++

C#

Python

Job description

Position Overview

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a Directorate of SLAC, and a national research facility for scientific applications using synchrotron radiation at Stanford University is seeking a Beam Line Engineer with strong methodological, scientific and technical skills for its x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) team. The XAS facilities include a number of beam lines that enable research in areas such as chemistry, catalysis, biology, medical, environmental, and materials sciences, together covering a range from 2-35 keV. Each beam line is tailored to specific techniques and sciences, spanning a specific x-ray energy range, probing atomic and electronic structure and function of matter over different time scales, necessitating a highly varied approach to instrumentation, sample environment, data acquisition, and data analysis. The beam line facilities are made available to a national and international scientific user community, with SSRL staff providing scientific and technical support in their use.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Work as part of the x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) team to provide specialized technical and methodological support for beam line developments and for scientific users.
• Optimize beam line optics and experimental setups for specific experimental conditions.
• Independently provide training and experiment support on the use of these beam lines, including instrumentation and software, for scientific users.
• Provide guidance to scientific users in optimizing data collection during experiments.
• Contribute to the definition, design, construction and commissioning of in‑hutch instrumentation, for example in‑hutch optics systems; sample delivery and sample cells/environments ranging from cryogenic to high temperatures, and/or under electrochemical, gaseous, chemical control.
• Implement, characterize, operate and enhance state‑of‑the‑art facilities, such as x‑ray optics, electro mechanical systems, cryogenic systems, x‑ray detectors, data acquisition or data analysis software.
• Work occasional evenings and weekends as part of the on‑call user support program.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in chemistry, physics, materials science, biochemistry, biophysics, mechanical/electrical engineering or related field and 4 or more years of relevant experience such as in development of synchrotron radiation optics, beam line instrumentation or X‑ray detectors.
• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communications skills.
• Demonstrated strong ability to interact effectively with a diverse group of scientists, technical staff and user groups; to work well in a team; as well as ability to take individual independent initiative, all in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

In Addition, Preferred Requirements Include

• Master's or PhD in chemistry, physics, materials science, biochemistry, biophysics, mechanical/electrical engineering or related field.
• Direct experience and knowledge of synchrotron hard x‑ray absorption spectroscopy beam lines.
• Experience in instrumentation development and hard x‑ray beam line support at a synchrotron radiation facility.
• Experience in software development for instrumentation control, data acquisition and data analysis, preferably in C/C++, C# or Python. Experience with EPICS‑based instrumentation control and readout.
• Experience with 3D CAD software, preferably Solid Edge.

SLAC Employee Competencies

• Effectively decide: 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 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 the job.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote culture of safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1: General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
• As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
• Classification: Staff Engineer 3
• Job Code: 0133, Grade: L
• Employment Duration: Regular Continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $148,000 - $213,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. 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, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.