Lead Accelerator Physics Researcher — Pegasus Beamline

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 79,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks an outstanding candidate for a full-time Assistant Project Scientist in accelerator physics. You will lead experiments using high-brightness electron beams to study coherent short wavelength radiation and manage the day-to-day operation of the Pegasus photoinjector facility.

You will plan commissioning, maintain systems, and collaborate across the UCLA beamline team, supporting students and visiting researchers while contributing to

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, accelerator science, electrical engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of relevant research and a record of work directly applicable to accelerator-based X-ray experiments.
• Experience with high-brightness electron beams, radio-frequency photoinjectors, accelerator beam dynamics, beam diagnostics, and coherent radiation generation or characterization.
• Experience operating, commissioning, maintaining, or upgrading an accelerator beamline or comparable research facility, including systematic troubleshooting of integrated hardware and controls.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily operation of the Pegasus photoinjector and associated beamlines, including startup, beam tuning, performance optimization, shutdown, and coordination of experimental schedules.
• Maintain and improve accelerator systems and diagnostics, including radio-frequency, laser, magnet, vacuum, timing, controls, beam instrumentation, and radiation-safety systems, in coordination with UCLA technical staff and vendors.
• Plan and lead commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, and upgrade activities; establish operating procedures; maintain configuration, maintenance, and performance records; and track facility readiness and risks.
• Develop and carry out experiments on Inverse Compton Scattering and Bremmstrahlung X-ray production and applications using high-brightness electron beams, including experimental design, beam-time planning, data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation.
• Support students, postdoctoral scholars, collaborators, and visiting users through experiment preparation, beamline training, safe-work planning, and hands-on guidance during facility operations.
• Use accelerator and radiation modeling together with experimental measurements to understand beam dynamics, improve radiation source performance, and guide future facility capabilities.
• Prepare research publications, technical reports, conference presentations, and contributions to grant proposals, and communicate results to collaborators and sponsors.
• Contribute to the broader research program of the university group through scientific planning, laboratory coordination, mentoring, procurement, and compliance with UCLA environmental health and safety requirements.

Skills

High-brightness electron beams

Beam dynamics

Beam diagnostics

X-ray experiments

Experimental design

Education

PhD in physics / accelerator science / electrical engineering

Job description

University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA) seeks an outstanding candidate for a full-time Assistant Project Scientist in accelerator physics. You will lead experiments using high-brightness electron beams to study coherent short wavelength radiation and manage the day-to-day operation of the Pegasus photoinjector facility.

You will plan commissioning, maintain systems, and collaborate across the UCLA beamline team, supporting students and visiting researchers while contributing to