Project Scientist

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Menlo Park (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, located in Menlo Park, CA, invites applications for a Project Scientist to lead the DOT delivery platform development and support for the LCLS-II-HE upgrade. The role focuses on robust, user-ready time-resolved X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy capabilities, with integration of excitation and reaction-initiation methods.

The successful candidate will drive DOT improvements, coordinate with internal teams, and prepare for future high-repetition-rate

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field with experience in microfluidics, mechatronics, precision instrumentation, or related experimental systems.
• Hands-on experience developing or operating sample delivery systems for X-ray diffraction and/or X-ray spectroscopy.
• Ability to design, prototype, integrate, test, troubleshoot, and document complex hardware and controls for reliable user operation.
• Demonstrated scientific or technical productivity with peer-reviewed publications or equivalent outcomes.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• Ability to work in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, deployment, and sustained support of the DOT delivery platform.
• Improve reliability and reproducibility of the platform.
• Develop sample handling, droplet generation, tape transport, synchronization, diagnostics, and control systems.
• Document procedures; train operators and users; support experiment prep and execution.
• Coordinate with Sample Environment and Delivery teams to prototype DOT improvements for current and future operation.

Skills

Microfluidics

Mechatronics

Precision instrumentation

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Physical Chemistry, Applied Physics, or related field

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Job Description

Project Scientist – Droplet-on-Tape Development and Support - LCLS-II-HE upgrade

Position overview:

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), a Directorate of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, operated by Stanford University and a national user facility, seeks a Project Scientist to lead the development, deployment, and sustained support of the droplet-on-tape (DOT) sample delivery platform. The Project Scientist will advance DOT as a robust, user-ready capability for time-resolved X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy, including applications that use electrochemical, photochemical, and mixing-based control of biological and chemical samples. The work will also prepare DOT for the higher repetition rates and new experimental opportunities enabled by LCLS-II-HE.

The Project Scientist will have primary responsibility for DOT development and operational support. Responsibilities will include improving the reliability and reproducibility of the platform; developing sample handling, droplet generation, tape transport, synchronization, diagnostics, and control systems; integrating excitation and reaction-initiation approaches such as photoactivation, gas-liquid mixing, liquid-liquid mixing, and electrochemical control; documenting procedures; training operators and users; and supporting experiment preparation, commissioning, and execution. The position will coordinate closely with the Sample Environment and Delivery team and other LCLS technical groups to prototype and qualify DOT improvements for current operations and for future high-repetition-rate operation, where technically feasible.

DOT will be based primarily at the Macromolecular Femtosecond Crystallography (MFX) instrument. The Project Scientist will collaborate with internal staff, partner institutions, and external user groups to plan and execute DOT-enabled experiments, disseminate results through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and translate experimental experience into sustained improvements of the DOT platform.

Note: This is a two-year fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding

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.inMechanicalEngineering,Mechatronics,ChemicalEngineering,Physics,Physical Chemistry, Applied Physics, or a related field, with demonstrated experience in microfluidics, mechatronics, precision instrumentation, or closely related experimental systems.

• Hands-onexperiencedevelopingoroperatingsampledeliverysystemsforX-ray diffraction and/or X-ray spectroscopy.

• Demonstratedabilitytodesign,rapidlyprototype,integrate,test,troubleshoot,and documentcomplexexperimentalhardwareandcontrolsforreliableuseroperation.

• Demonstratedrecordofscientificortechnicalproductivity,includingpeer-reviewed publications or equivalent project outcomes.

• Effectivewrittenandverbalcommunicationskills.

• Demonstratedabilitytoworkandcommunicateeffectivelywithadiversepopulation.

• Demonstratedabilitytowork inateam environment.

In addition, preferred requirements include the following:

• ExperienceworkingatX-rayfree-electronlaserorsynchrotronradiationfacilitiesand supporting user experiments.

• Experiencedevelopingandoperatingdroplet-basedsampledeliverysystems,especially droplet-on-tape or related low-consumption approaches.

• Experiencewithtime-resolvedserialcrystallographyand/orX-rayspectroscopyof biological or chemical systems.

• Experienceintegratingoptical,mixing,gas-delivery,orelectrochemicalreaction-initiation methods with sample delivery platforms.

• Experiencewithexperimentalcontrols,automation,scripting,anddataanalysis(for example, Python and MATLAB).

SLAC employee competencies:

• EffectiveDecisions:Usesjobknowledgeandsolidjudgmenttomakequalitydecisionsina timely manner.

• Self-Development:Pursuesavarietyofvenuesandopportunitiestocontinuelearningand developing.

• Dependability:Canbecountedontodeliverresultswithasenseofpersonalresponsibility for expected outcomes.

• Initiative:Pursuesworkandinteractionsproactivelywithoptimism,positiveenergy,and motivation to move things forward.

• Adaptability:Flexesasneededwhenchangeoccurs,maintainsanopenoutlookwhile adjusting and accommodating changes.

• Communication:Ensureseffectiveinformationflowtovariousaudiencesandcreatesand delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.

• Relationships:Buildsrelationshipstofostertrust,collaboration,andapositiveclimateto achieve common goals.

Physical requirements and working conditions:

• Consistentwithitsobligationsunderthelaw,theUniversitywillprovidereasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job

• Giventhenatureofthisposition,SLACisopentoon-siteandhybridworkoptions

Work standards:

• InterpersonalSkills:DemonstratestheabilitytoworkwellwithStanfordcolleaguesand clients and with external organizations.

• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1—General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf

• SubjecttoandexpectedtocomplywithallapplicableUniversitypoliciesandprocedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affimative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.