Post Doctoral Fellow Accelerate Nb3Sn

Jefferson Lab; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

401(k) plan

Flexible work arrangements

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

Jefferson Lab in Newport News, Virginia, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to advance Nb3Sn thin film deposition on Cu substrates for compact accelerators. The role focuses on optimizing deposition methods, surface analysis, and cryogenic RF evaluation, working with a team of scientists and engineers.

You will perform experiments, analyze data, and contribute to reports and publications, interfacing with PI and students to push SRF performance to new limits.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in physics-related field required.
• Experience with cryogenic/RF measurements and superconducting tests.
• Background in surface & thin film science with relevant deposition/analysis techniques.

Responsibilities

• Assist Nb3Sn thin film deposition and characterization.
• Participate in microstructure analysis of superconducting films.
• Assist installation of new deposition equipment.
• Design experiments, analyze data, and present findings.

Skills

surface & thin film science

cryogenic measurements

RF measurements

experimental setups

Education

Ph.D. Physics, Applied Physics, Superconducting RF, Material Science

Tools

SEM/TEM

XRD/EBSD

EDS/XPS/SIMS

MATLAB

COMSOL

Job description

Required: Ph.D. Physics, Applied Physics, Superconducting RF, Material Science. etc.

The good-faith pay range for this role is $65,600 - $90,300 per year. Actual compensation may vary and may be above the posted range based on factors such as a candidate's skills, experience, education, certifications, and work location.

SURATech will not sponsor an H1B visa for this position.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLAB) has a long-standing program for the development of alternate superconducting Radiofrequency (RF) surfaces based on thin film technologies. Encouraging results have been obtained for niobium (Nb) and Nb3Sn thin films on small laboratory samples produced by conventional PVD and energetic condensation (HiPIMS, ECR post-ionization) techniques. The development is pursued with the optimization of substrate preparation, interlayers, insulating layers, thermal treatment, target composition on small samples. RF performance is to be evaluated on simplified geometry in a quadrupole resonator (QPR) and on elliptical RF resonators (single-cell cavities). In parallel, characterization by microscopy (SEM, TEM), diffraction (XRD, EBSD), spectrometry (EDS, XPS, SIMS, AES, EELS), magnetometry and other cryogenic measurements (3rd harmonic, RRR, PCT) is done both in house and in collaboration with external institutes. The JLab Superconducting radio frequency (SRF) research department seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate to take part in its thin film programs and particularly focus on developing the deposition of Nb3Sn on copper (Cu) primarily in the framework of compact accelerators. With guidance, the Post-doctoral Fellow will conduct research on A15 superconducting materials and associated buffer layer deposition to prevent Cu diffusion for application to compact accelerators. In particular, the incumbent is responsible for developing and optimizing a method to achieve the sought-after phases and structures by leveraging energetics to enable deposition of Nb3Sn at lower temperatures than usually possible with conventional methods. These activities also include working with surface analytical tools like SEM combined with EBSD and EDS, TEM/EELS, SIMS, and XPS. The incumbent will also work closely with the principal investigator, staff and graduate students to conduct RF evaluation at cryogenic temperatures of SRF film structures coated on QPR samples to evaluate results, which guide the optimization of deposition methods, leading to implementation of the technology on elliptical single-cell cavities, and to write reports in the form of technical notes, conference proceedings and/or peer reviewed journals.

In This Job You Will

• Assist in deposition of Nb3Sn thin film and structures, characterize samples and devices using microscopes, physical property system and magnetometry setups, and prepare and mount samples for these experiments.
• Participate in the microstructure and properties analysis of superconducting films and structures within the SRF S&T Department.
• Participate in the installation and commissioning of an upcoming cylindrical magnetron deposition setup.
• Determine solutions to technical problems by reviewing scientific and technical literature and simulation methodologies designing and executing experiments to support research. Conduct, analyze, and present data.
• Present scientific conclusions at internal and external meetings, in technotes, proceedings and/or peer‑reviewed journals.
• Collaborate with scientists, engineers, and technicians to accomplish research goals.

Experience

• Required: Strong background in surface & thin film science with experience in one or more of the techniques mentioned above and be willing to use experimental background to crossover into the field of accelerator physics and microelectronics.
• Required: Experience with cryogenic and/or RF measurements.
• Required: Experience with experimental setups for superconducting measurements
• Preferred: Experience with thin film deposition techniques.
• Preferred: Experience in calculations and/or simulations regarding the particle interactions in matter, especially experience with MatLab, COMSOL or PIC/MC software.

Education

• Required: Ph.D. Physics, Applied Physics, Superconducting RF, Material Science. etc.

Experience and Education Exchange

Education above the minimum may not be substituted for experience. Relevant experience may not be substituted for education.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge in materials science & engineering, superconductivity, rf is desired.

About Jefferson Lab

Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community. A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of "big science" and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by SURATech, LLC, Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world.

Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab

Benefits

At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
• 401(k) Plan – 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
• Flexible Work Arrangements

(Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)

• Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
• Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast

SURATech, LLC manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). SURATech is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

SURATech is committed to providing reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e‑mail to [e-mail] or contact Human Resources by calling [phone] and selecting option 1 between 8 am – 5 pm EST to provide the nature of your request.

Employment with SURATech is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full‑time, part‑time or voluntary.