Senior Accelerator Physicist: Storage Ring & Light Source

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory invites applications for a Staff Scientist in Accelerator Physics at SSRL. The role focuses on maintaining SPEAR3 performance, studying upgrades, and exploring a next-generation light source. Candidates should bring hands-on accelerator expertise and strong modeling/programming skills.

The position emphasizes independent research, collaboration with photon scientists, and leadership in design studies for future facilities at SSRL.

Qualifications

• PhD in accelerator physics or related field or equivalent experience with minimum 4 years of relevant experience in accelerator and storage ring physics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of storage ring physics including linear and nonlinear beam optics and lattice design.
• Hands-on accelerator expertise, including the ability to quickly diagnose problems that develop with the accelerators during operations.
• Capability of innovative and independent research.
• Demonstrated expertise with computer modeling codes as well as strong programming skills.
• Good verbal and written communication skills and the ability to clearly document scientific research and projects.
• Dependability: Can be relied upon to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
• Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
• Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintain an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.
• Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the Accelerator Physics Group ongoing effort to maintain and improve the performance of the SPEAR3 storage ring and its injector.
• Propose and pursue new directions for improving performance of SSRL accelerator performance.
• Participate in accelerator physics measurements and experiments during our regularly scheduled machine development periods.
• Take a leading role in design studies for a future next generation light source for SSRL. This work will include simulations and optimization of linear and nonlinear storage ring dynamics.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

Skills

Hands-on accelerator experience

Beam optics knowledge

Nonlinear dynamics understanding

Programming skills

Computer modeling

Strong communication skills

Independent research capability

Problem diagnosis

Team collaboration

Decision making

Education

PhD in accelerator physics or related field

Tools

Accelerator modeling codes

Job description

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory invites applications for a Staff Scientist in Accelerator Physics at SSRL. The role focuses on maintaining SPEAR3 performance, studying upgrades, and exploring a next-generation light source. Candidates should bring hands-on accelerator expertise and strong modeling/programming skills.

The position emphasizes independent research, collaboration with photon scientists, and leadership in design studies for future facilities at SSRL.