Lead Scientist - SSRL HAXPES Beamline

Stanford University; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University in Menlo Park is seeking a Lead Scientist for the SSRL HAXPES/PEEM beamline to guide design, construction, commissioning and long-term scientific program development.

The role leads interdisciplinary teams, defines technical specs, oversees integration, and develops a cutting-edge user program in microelectronics, semiconductor materials, and related fields. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. with 8+ years post-PhD experience and a strong publication record.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8 years of post-PhD research experience.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• Experience developing, operating, and maintaining complex experimental systems at a synchrotron facility.
• Experience with facility operations and user support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership for the HAXPES/PEEM beamline design, construction, commissioning, and endstation development.
• Translate scientific requirements into technical specifications for beamline optics, monochromators, and electron analyzers.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and scientists to develop high-performance instrumentation.
• Oversee system integration, testing, commissioning, and performance optimization.
• Develop and lead an independent research program aligned with SSRL’s mission.
• Lead and participate in collaborative research projects with SSRL staff, users, and partners.
• Grow and manage the SSRL HAXPES/PEEM user program and user training activities.
• Ensure safe operation and contribute to division-wide initiatives.

Skills

Communication skills

Independent & collaborative work

Project leadership

User support experience

Education

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

Tools

HAXPES/PEEM techniques

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 Lead Scientist to play a leading scientific and technical role in the design, construction, commissioning of this new beamline, and - once in operation - in 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 a unique opportunity to shape a flagship SSRL beamline while advancing impactful research in microelectronics, semiconductor materials, quantum information science, and related fields.

You r specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide scientific leadership for and contribute to the conceptual design, technical development, construction, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline and associated endstation. Promote and represent the scientific objectives of the beamline to internal and external stakeholders.
• 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.
• Oversee system integration, testing, commissioning, and performance optimization.

Scientific Research and Leadership

• Develop and lead an independent and competitive research program using HAXPES/PEEM, aligned with the mission of the SSRL Materials Science Division.
• Conduct frontier research in areas such as microelectronics, semiconductor devices, thin films, heterostructures, and buried interfaces.
• Lead and participate in collaborative research projects involving SSRL staff, academic users, industrial partners, and other national laboratories.
• Publish high-impact scientific 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: Appointment at the Lead Scientist level is a regular-continuing position and requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievements, with approval by the Directorate Appointment and Promotion Committee. Applicants should include a cover letter, a research statement (including a summary of accomplishments), a curriculum vitae, a publication list, and the names of five 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 related discipline, with a minimum of 8 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.