Staff Scientist - Accelerator Physics (SLAC/SSRL)

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

Staff Scientist - Accelerator Physics (SLAC/SSRL)

Job Overview

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.

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.
• 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.

Note: The Staff Scientist level is a regular-continuing position and requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievements. Applicants should include a cover letter, a statement of research including brief summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of five references for future letters of recommendation with the application.

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.
• 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.
<