Research Scientist, Laser-Plasma Accelerators and X-ray Sources

University of Texas; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS) seeks an accomplished experimental physicist to lead a program on laser wakefield electron accelerators, laser-driven x-ray sources, and related physics. The role includes building UT’s laser-based x-ray capability for semiconductor and medical applications and contributing to national and international projects.

This highly independent position involves leading proposals, supervising researchers and students, and

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or related field with 6+ years post-PhD research experience in experimental laser-plasma physics or accelerator science.
• Proven record of leading laser wakefield and laser-driven x-ray experiments, supported by peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience with x-ray imaging or scattering techniques, detectors, optics and data reconstruction.
• Experience with high-power (50 TW) Ti:sapphire laser systems and external laser facilities.
• History of securing external research funding and leading major proposal components.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research program on laser wakefield accelerators and laser-driven x-ray sources at UT Austin.
• Develop laser‑based x‑ray diagnostics for semiconductor and medical applications.
• Lead the TeX-Ray beamline design, commissioning, and operation and support laser development.
• Co-lead UT’s role in the LSU LaNeXT project and develop related user-programs and funding.
• Publish results, present at conferences, and supervise postdoctoral researchers and students.

Skills

Laser wakefield acceleration

X-ray generation

High-power lasers

External funding experience

Supervision of researchers

Education

PhD in Physics

Tools

Ti:sapphire lasers

X-ray diagnostics

Job description

Job Posting Title: Research Scientist, Laser-Plasma Accelerators and X-ray Sources

Hiring Department: Department of Physics

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date: Immediately

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details:

General Notes

The Department of Physics plays a pivotal role in the advancing of knowledge, nurturing the next generation of physicists and making a lasting impact on the world of physics.

The College of Natural Sciences at UT Austin, strives to foster a work environment that enables all employees to contribute at the highest possible level to support the mission of the University. What starts here really does change the world. For more information about the College of Natural Sciences, please visit.

The university offers an impressive benefits package including:

* Employer paid health insurance (employee premiums covered at 100%; spouse and family premiums at 50%)

* Dental, vision, life and disability insurance options

* Paid vacation and sick leave

* Paid holidays

* Retirement plan

For more details, please see: Prospective Employee Benefits and My Total Rewards.

Job Description Summary

The Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS) at The University of Texas at Austin seeks an accomplished experimental physicist to lead a program on laser wakefield electron accelerators, laser-driven x-ray sources, laser-driven muon sources, and the physics they enable. The successful candidate will build UT's laser-based x-ray capability for semiconductor and medical applications, support the LaVHEE effort on laser-driven very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams for radiotherapy, play a leading role in UT's participation in the LSU-led LaNeXT project (The Laboratory for Next Generation X-ray Science and Technology, NSF Mid-scale RI-1), and lead the x-ray beamline portion of TeX-Ray, a planned Texas laser synchrotron facility, including support for its laser development.

The position offers a highly independent research role with the opportunity to lead proposals, supervise researchers and students, and shape a new national user facility, at the interface of ultra-high-intensity laser science, accelerator physics, semiconductor metrology and medical imaging.

Responsibilities

• Lead the research program on laser wakefield electron accelerators and betatron, inverse-Compton and other laser-driven x-ray sources, including experiments on UT3, the Texas Petawatt (TPW) and off-site facilities (e.g., BELLA at LBNL, ELI Beamlines, ELI-NP).
• Develop laser-based x-ray diagnostics for semiconductor and medical applications, including 3D micro-CT of packaged chips, x-ray diffraction (XRD), phase-contrast imaging and related techniques, and support the development of laser-driven VHEE beams for radiotherapy (LaVHEE), working with industry and clinical partners.
• Lead the x-ray beamline portion of TeX-Ray (MIMIX and associated beamlines): beamline design, commissioning, and operation, and support laser development for the facility.
• Take a leading role in UT's participation in the LSU LaNeXT project: co-lead UT's part of the proposal and project, represent UT with LSU and the partner institutions, define and deliver UT's laser-driven x-ray contributions, and develop related user-program and funding efforts.
• Publish results, present at conferences, and supervise postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, technical staff and undergraduate research assistants.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics or a related field and a minimum of six years of post-Ph.D. experience, and at least eight years of total research experience (including pre-doctoral research at universities or national laboratories), in experimental laser-plasma physics or accelerator science.
• Demonstrated record of leading experiments on laser wakefield acceleration and laser-driven x-ray generation (betatron, inverse Compton, or similar), documented by peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience with x-ray imaging or scattering techniques (e.g., radiography, micro-CT, XRD, phase-contrast) including detectors, optics and data reconstruction.
• Experience with high-power ( 50 TW) Ti:sapphire laser systems and with executing experiments at external laser facilities.
• Record of securing external research funding or leading major proposal components (e.g., NSF mid-scale or multi-institution projects), and of supervising researchers and students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience developing x-ray metrology for semiconductor or medical applications, or collaborations with industry or clinical partners.
• Experience designing and commissioning beamlines or user end stations at a laser, synchrotron or accelerator facility.
• Experience with high-repetition-rate laser-plasma systems, gas-jet and gas-cell targets, and electron and x-ray beam diagnostics.
• Experience in muon physics, laser-based muon generation, and muon imaging (e.g., muon tomography).
• Experience with ML/AI methods for data analysis, tomographic reconstruction or machine control.
• Experience with PIC and x-ray transport simulation (e.g., WarpX, Osiris, Geant4) and with Python or C++.

Salary Range

$100,000 plus depending on qualifications.

Working Conditions

• Work in an academic research environment and in laser laboratories
• Repetitive use of a keyboard
• Will work with UT3, the Texas Petawatt and associated laboratories at UT Austin, with Class IV lasers, high-voltage systems, vacuum systems and ionizing radiation (x-ray) sources
• Travel to and work at offsite facilities (e.g., LBNL, ELI Beamlines, ELI-NP, LSU, national laboratories) and to meetings with partners

Required Materials

• Curriculum Vitae (CV), including a list of publications
• Statement of research interests
• 3 letters of reference, at least two of which must be from references outside The University of Texas at Austin.

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information...

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.