Staff Scientist - SSRL HAXPES Beamline/Program Development

Stanfordlivetickets; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

PTO days

Tuition assistance

Commuter benefits

Job summary

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, CA invites applications for a Staff Scientist to lead the design, construction, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline within SSRL. The role emphasizes scientific leadership, collaboration with engineers, and active user support.

Candidates should show excellence in materials science and extensive HAXPES/PEEM experience, and be capable of building a competitive research program while mentoring colleagues and engaging with SSRL's user

Qualifications

• Demonstrated research excellence in materials science, supported by publications and experimental achievements.
• Extensive knowledge and hands-on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• Experience developing, operating, and maintaining complex experimental systems at a synchrotron facility.
• Experience with facility operations and user support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific leadership for beamline design, development, and commissioning.
• Translate scientific requirements into technical specifications for beamline components.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and scientists to develop high-performance instrumentation.
• Oversee system integration, testing, and performance optimization.
• Develop and lead an independent research program using HAXPES/PEEM.
• Support user program development and collaborations.
• Manage routine beamline operations and safety compliance.

Skills

HAXPES/PEEM techniques

Materials science

Independent and collaborative work

Facility operations experience

Scientific communication

Job description

Job Overview

Position Overview:

The Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a Directorate of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, is developing a state-of-the‑art Hard X‑ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy / Photoemission Electron Microscopy (HAXPES/PEEM) beamline with a strong focus on probing electronic and chemical states in buried layers of functional devices, particularly for microelectronics applications. We seek an outstanding Staff Scientist to play a leading scientific and technical role in the design, construction, commissioning of this new beamline, and - once in operation - in scientific program development and user support.

The successful candidate will join the Materials Science Division and become an integral member of a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment that combines staff‑led scientific programs with close engagement and collaboration with the SSRL user community. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape a flagship SSRL beamline while advancing impactful research in microelectronics, semiconductor materials, quantum information science, and related fields.

• Provide scientific leadership for and contribute to the conceptual design, technical development, construction, and commissioning of the HAXPES/PEEM beamline and associated endstation. Promote and represent the scientific objectives of the beamline to internal and external stakeholders.
• Define and translate scientific requirements into technical specifications for beamline optics, monochromators, electron analyzer, and sample environments optimized for hard X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
• Work closely with the project manager, engineers, technical staff, and scientists to develop robust, high‑performance instrumentation.
• Oversee system integration, testing, commissioning, and performance optimization.

Scientific Research and Leadership

• Develop and lead an independent and competitive research program using HAXPES/PEEM, aligned with the mission of the SSRL Materials Science Division.
• Conduct frontier research in areas such as microelectronics, semiconductor devices, thin films, heterostructures, and buried interfaces.
• Lead and participate in collaborative research projects involving SSRL staff, academic users, industrial partners, and other national laboratories.
• Publish high‑impact scientific results and present research at conferences and workshops.

User Program Development and Collaboration

• Play a central role in establishing and growing the HAXPES/PEEM user program at SSRL.
• Engage with the user community to identify emerging scientific opportunities and guide the evolution of beamline capabilities.
• Support users throughout the experimental lifecycle, including experimental design, beamtime execution, and data analysis.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive user training and outreach activities, including workshops, tutorials, and documentation.

Operations, Service, and Division Engagement

• Manage routine beamline operations, endstation maintenance, and continuous performance improvement.
• Ensure safe operation of the beamline in accordance with SLAC and DOE requirements.
• Contribute to division‑wide scientific initiatives, mentoring, outreach, and strategic planning.

Note: Appointment at the Staff Scientist level is a regular‑continuing position and requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievements, with approval by the Directorate Appointment and Promotion Committee. Applicants should include a cover letter, a research statement (including a summary of accomplishments), a curriculum vitae, a publication list, and the names of five references for future letters of recommendation.

SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:

• Demonstrated research excellence in materials science, supported by publications and experimental achievements.
• Extensive knowledge and hands‑on experience with HAXPES and/or PEEM techniques.
• Demonstrated competence in developing, operating, and maintaining complex experimental systems at a synchrotron radiation facility.
• Experience with facility operations and user support.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.

In addition, preferred qualifications include:

• Technical expertise in synchrotron beamline or endstation development, including operando or in situ sample environments.
• Proficiency in data analysis, scripting, and scientific programming tools.
• 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.
• Dependability: Can be counted on 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, maintains 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.

Physical requirements and Working conditions:

• Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
• Given the nature of this position, on‑site work is required.

Work standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• 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.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Responsibilities

Minimum Qualifications

• Fixed Term N
• SLAC Business Area Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource Directorate (SSRL)
• Locations Menlo Park, CA, United States
• Job Schedule Full time
• Regular or Temporary Regular
• Job Category Research - Other
• Posting Date 04/07/2026, 12:00 AM
• Grade L
• Job Identification 6710

Benefits that support you, and your future

18+ PTO days per year

Health benefits start when you start

Flexible work options

$6000+ annual tuition and training assistance

403k plan

Mental health and wellness programs

Free and discounted commuter transportation

Applies to regular full‑time positions.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires 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 at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

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.

For foreign national candidates

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) Federal risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment. The tier of federal background investigation required to obtain the credential will be determined by job duties at the time you become eligible for the PIV credential.

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