Postdoctoral Appointee - AI/ML for Particle Accelerators

argonne; 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 for advanced tuning and diagnosis of particle accelerators. The position focuses on developing AI/ML methods to analyze, tune, and control beams, with applications to the APS injector and upgraded storage ring.

Candidates will explore agentic AI, test methods on the existing accelerator complex, and work toward autonomous workflows and fault response.

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed in accelerator physics or a related field.
• Strong programming skills.
• Proficiency in the Python programming language.
• Working knowledge of UNIX or Linux.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy advanced AI/ML methods for analysis, tuning, and control of particle beams and accelerator systems.
• Apply AI/LLMs to accelerators, enabling intelligent system analysis and operator decision support.
• Test methods on the existing APS injector and the upgraded storage ring to assess usefulness.
• Explore autonomous workflows and fault response for accelerator operation.

Skills

Programming

Python

Unix/Linux

Machine learning

Accelerator operation

Algorithms

Cluster computing

Education

PhD in accelerator physics

PhD in related field (math/CS/EE)

Tools

Elegant

Cheetah

SDDS

Tcl/Tk

Linux scripting

Job description

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‑mandating, 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

• PhD completed in the past 5 years or soon‑to‑be completed in accelerator physics or a related field is strongly preferred. PhD 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

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.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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