Postdoctoral Appointee - AI/ML for Particle Accelerators

Argonne National Laboratory; Lemont (IL); On-site; USD 72,879 - 121,465; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, IL, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for advanced tuning and diagnosis of particle accelerators. The position is in the Accelerator Operations and Physics (AOP) Group of ASD/APS, focusing on developing AI/ML methods to analyze, tune, and control beams and accelerator systems at the APS injector and upgraded storage ring.

Applicants should have a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• PhD completed in accelerator physics or related field or near completion.
• Strong programming skills with Python and UNIX/Linux proficiency.
• Experience with machine learning and accelerator operation is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced AI/ML methods for analysis, tuning, and control of particle beams and accelerator systems.
• Explore applications of LLMs to accelerators, support operator decision-making, and automate complex workflows.
• Test methods on the APS injector and the upgraded storage ring and evaluate usefulness for operation.

Skills

Programming

Python

UNIX/Linux

Education

PhD in accelerator physics or related field

Tools

Elegant

Cheetah

SDDS

Tcl/Tk

Linux scripting

Job description

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Researcher in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for advanced tuning and diagnosis of particle accelerators. The Accelerator Operations and Physics (AOP) Group of the Accelerator Systems Division (ASD), Advanced Photon Source (APS) is hiring a postdoctoral researcher for a multi-year appointment. The postdoctoral researcher will work to develop and deploy advanced AI/ML methods for analysis, tuning, and control of particle beams and accelerator systems, with applications to the APS injector and the newly-upgraded APS storage ring. This work will explore applications of LLMs to accelerators, specifically, use of agentic AI to support intelligent system analysis, aid operator decision-making, automate complex workflows, and enable more adaptive approaches to machine tuning, diagnostics, and fault response. Experimental work on the existing APS injector accelerator complex and the new APS storage ring will be done to test the methods and assess their usefulness for accelerator operation.

Position Requirements

• Ph.D. completed in the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed in accelerator physics or a related field is strongly preferred. Ph.D. graduates in other branches of physical sciences, or in math, computer science, and electric engineering who have an interest in accelerator physics will also be considered.
• Strong programming skills.
• Proficiency in the Python programming language.
• Working knowledge of UNIX or Linux.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

• Experience with machine learning and accelerator operation.
• Experience working with complex algorithms.
• Experience using computing clusters for simulation and data analysis.
• Experience with accelerator modeling and simulation codes, such as Elegant and Cheetah.
• Experience with SDDS, Tcl/Tk, and scripting in Linux environment.

Job Family and Compensation

Job Family: Postdoctoral. Job Profile: Postdoctoral Appointee. Worker Type: Long-Term (Fixed Term). Time Type: Full time. The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. 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, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Background Check and Authorization

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

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