Staff Scientist

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

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory seeks an Accelerator Physicist for the SSRL Accelerator Division. The role focuses on maintaining and upgrading the SPEAR3 storage ring, injector, and related accelerator systems to ensure high-quality X-ray production for SSRL experiments.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in accelerator physics or related field (or equivalent experience), proven beam physics knowledge, and hands-on diagnostic and modeling skills.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field or equivalent experience (minimum 4 years).
• Strong knowledge of storage ring physics, beam optics, and lattice design.
• Hands-on accelerator experience and problem diagnosis during operations.
• Experience with computer modeling and programming.
• Excellent written and verbal communication of research results.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve the SPEAR3 storage ring and its injector, with focus on the electron gun and linac.
• Propose and pursue new directions to improve SSRL accelerator performance.
• Participate in accelerator physics measurements and experiments during machine development periods.
• Contribute to design studies for a future next generation light source for SSRL.
• Other duties may also be assigned.

Skills

Beam optics

Lattice design

Accelerator physics

Diagnostics

Programming

Communication

Education

PhD in accelerator physics or related field

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SPEAR3 is one of the four US Department of Energy synchrotron light sources - electron storage rings dedicated to producing brilliant X‑ray beams. SPEAR3 serves Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a national user facility with a long history of utilizing synchrotron radiation for multi‑disciplinary experiments.

Position Overview

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SPEAR3 is one of the four US Department of Energy synchrotron light sources - electron storage rings dedicated to producing brilliant X‑ray beams. SPEAR3 serves Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a national user facility with a long history of utilizing synchrotron radiation for multi‑disciplinary experiments.

JOB DESCRIPTION

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory's SPEAR3 is one of the four US Department of Energy synchrotron light sources - electron storage rings dedicated to producing brilliant X‑ray beams. SPEAR3 serves Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a national user facility with a long history of utilizing synchrotron radiation for multi‑disciplinary experiments.

Responsibilities

We are seeking an Accelerator Physicist to join our Accelerator Physics Group within the SSRL Accelerator Division. This group's responsibilities include:

• Physics support for the maintenance and operation of the SSRL accelerator complex, which includes an RF electron gun, 120‑MeV linear accelerator, a 10‑Hz cycling booster synchrotron to accelerate electrons from 120 MeV to 3 GeV, and the main SPEAR3 storage ring that emits x‑ray synchrotron radiation from bend magnets, wigglers and undulators.


• Propose and help design, manage, and execute upgrades of the existing SSRL accelerators to improve their performance and/or reliability.


• Design a next generation storage ring as a future source to serve the SSRL photon science community.

This is an exciting time for the SSRL accelerator team. The Accelerator Physics Group is exploring options for a next generation light source for SSRL. We are investigating which technologies to push to enhance performance of a future light source beyond sources currently in operation or construction. We are working closely with SSRL photon scientists to establish a strong scientific case for a new SSRL light source.

Your Specific Responsibilities Include

• Contribute to the Accelerator Physics Group ongoing effort to maintain and improve the performance of the SPEAR3 storage ring and its injector with a primary focus on the electron gun and linac.


• Propose and pursue new directions for improving SSRL accelerator performance.


• Participate in accelerator physics measurements and experiments during our regularly scheduled machine development periods.


• Contribute to design studies for a future next generation light source for SSRL.


• Other duties may also be assigned.

To Be Successful In This Position You Will Bring

• A 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.

SLAC Employee Competencies

• 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.


• Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, SLAC will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.

Work Standards

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with internal and external stakeholders and clients.


• 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


• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu


• As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

Summary

RESPONSIBILITIES

Experienced professional capable of leading areas of research, technology, design, or facility operation.

Consistently demonstrates creativity and ingenuity required to remain at the scientific and technological forefront.

Scope Of Impact

Sets goals, plans, directs and executes established and new research projects.

Demonstrated technical authority over areas of research and/or development objectives within a project, program, or facility operations.

Knowledge And Expertise

Applies scientific or technical expertise in a broad field of knowledge for several applications and has fully demonstrated grasp of related disciplines.

Demonstrated ability to lead focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations.

Demonstrated effective communication of research progress to both internal and external audiences.

Directing Others/Supervision

Directs the work of others to achieve objectives of small to moderate research programs.

Program Development

Contributes to new applications, proposals and program development opportunities.

Contributes to solutions to key technical or scientific challenges critical to program/project success.

Minimum Education And Experience Required

PhD in applicable scientific discipline and 4 years of relevant experience