Scientist

Interfolio, Inc; City of Rochester (NY); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Rochester's Laboratory for Laser Energetics seeks a Scientist to advance high‑energy‑density physics experiments. You will design and lead tests using x-ray spectroscopy, scattering, and diffraction to study matter under extreme conditions, collaborating with engineers, theorists, and diagnostic specialists.

Applicants should have a strong publication record and experience with large laser facilities; prior work at Omega, NIF, LCLS, APS, or European XFEL is highly desirable.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Experimental Physics, Engineering, or closely related field.
• 2+ years of postdoctoral or equivalent research in experimental HEDP preferred.
• Proven record of experimental research and peer‑reviewed publications.
• Experience leading experiments at high‑power laser facilities or light sources.

Responsibilities

• Conceive, design, lead, and execute HEDP experiments using x-ray diagnostics.
• Lead campaigns at LLE and external facilities, including planning and data interpretation.
• Collaborate with target fabrication, laser, diagnostic, and engineering teams.
• Work with theorists to model observables and connect to atomic/material models.
• Develop proposals to secure experimental time at Omega and other facilities.
• Publish results in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Mentor graduate students and postdocs.

Skills

Independent leadership

X-ray spectroscopy

X-ray diagnostics

Python data analysis

Scientific publication

Communication

Collaborative research

Experiment design

Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Physics, Engineering, or closely related field

Job description

University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: Academic Center: LLE-Laboratory for Laser Energ

Location

Laboratory for Laser Energetics

Open Date

Sep 09, 2026

Salary Range or Pay Grade

100,000-140,000

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) is seeking a Scientist in the High-Energy-Density Physics (HEDP) Experiments group to conduct innovative experimental research in HED material properties and/or atomic physics using advanced x-ray diagnostics. The successful candidate will design, lead, execute, and analyze experiments that use x-ray spectroscopy, scattering, and/or diffraction to study matter (e.g., condensed matter, warm-dense matter, dense plasmas) under extreme pressure and temperature. Research will address fundamental properties of HED matter that may include equation of state, phase transitions, electronic structure and band-gap behavior, opacity and related atomic, material, and transport properties.

The candidate should have a strong record of experimental research and scientific publication, with demonstrated experience developing or applying x-ray diagnostics to dynamic-compression or other HED experiments. Extensive experience conducting experiments at high-power laser facilities and/or advanced light sources is highly desirable. Relevant facilities may include Omega, NIF, LCLS, APS, or the European XFEL. The successful candidate will work closely with experimentalists, engineers, and theorists/modelers to develop new measurement capabilities and establish a quantitative understanding of matter at extreme conditions.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conceive, design, lead, and execute HEDP experiments using x-ray spectroscopy, scattering, diffraction, and/or related diagnostics to measure the material and/or atomic properties of matter at extreme conditions.
• Lead experimental campaigns at LLE and external high-power laser facilities or advanced light sources, including planning, shot execution, diagnostic configuration, data acquisition, and interpretation.
• Collaborate with target fabrication, laser, diagnostic, and engineering teams to develop and field experimental platforms and measurement capabilities.
• Work closely with theorists and computational scientists to design experiments, model diagnostic observables, interpret measurements, and connect experimental results to atomic and material models.
• Develop research proposals to secure experimental time at Omega and external facilities
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences and workshops.
• Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other early-career scientists, as appropriate.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in Experimental Physics, Engineering, or a closely related field.
• At least 2 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience in experimental HEDP, shock physics, condensed matter physics, plasma physics, atomic physics, or a closely related field is preferred.
• Demonstrated record of experimental research excellence and peer-reviewed publication.
• Substantial experience leading experiments at high-power laser facilities and/or advanced light sources.
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more x-ray diagnostic techniques, particularly x-ray spectroscopy, scattering, or diffraction, to extract quantitative information about matter under extreme conditions.
• Experience working collaboratively with scientists, engineers, diagnostic specialists, and computational/modeling researchers.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS

• Ability to independently lead complex experimental campaigns from scientific concept through experiment design, execution, data analysis, and publication.
• Strong experimental skills with x-ray emission or absorption spectroscopy, resonant or non-resonant x-ray scattering, x-ray diffraction, or related techniques.
• Strong understanding of HED matter and the physics underlying phase transitions, equation of state, electronic structure, ionization, and/or charge-state distributions.
• Experience leading experiments at high-power laser facilities and/or advanced light sources, including working effectively within large, multidisciplinary user-facility teams.
• Programming and scientific data-analysis experience, preferably using Python or comparable scientific computing tools.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to publish and present scientific results.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will join the HEDP Experiments group as a Scientist or at a rank commensurate with experience.

SALARY RANGE: $100,000 to $140,000 Annually

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates are set within the job's compensation range, and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University's Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create - and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.