X-ray Spectroscopy Support Engineer

SLAC; Menlo Park (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford SSRL, part of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, seeks a Science and Engineering Associate to provide technical support and operational oversight for X-ray spectroscopy beam lines and related equipment. You will assist visiting scientists and staff, ensuring reliable operation of end-station instrumentation.

Responsibilities include installation, testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance, along with drafting documents, coordinating with researchers, vendors, and technical staff to

Qualifications

• Experience providing technical support in a high-precision instrumentation environment.
• Ability to read and interpret drawings, specifications, and procurement documents.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills for coordinating with researchers and staff.

Responsibilities

• Assist with installation, testing, operation and troubleshooting of X-ray spectroscopy end station instrumentation (mechanical, cryogenic-vacuum and control systems).
• Assist with user and staff technical support on X-ray spectroscopy beam lines.
• Participate in development, design, prototyping, procurement and commissioning of scientific equipment.
• Modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, and other documents with supervision.

Job description

Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), is a Department of Energy national scientific user facility. SSRL operates ~30 experimental stations (beam lines) that enable research in areas such as chemistry, catalysis, biology, medical, environmental, and materials sciences. Each beam line is tailored to specific techniques, spanning a specific x-ray energy range, to study materials from atomic to mm size level and over different time scales, necessating a highly varied approach to instrumentation, sample environment and data acquisition. The beam line facilities are made available to an international scientific user community, with SSRL staff providing scientific and technical support in their use.

SSRL is seeking a Science and Engineering Associate to be part of a dynamic scientific research environment. In this position, you will provide technical support and operational oversight for the X-ray spectroscopy beam lines and associated experimental equipment. You will provide support for visiting scientific users as well as scientific and engineering staff.

Your specific responsibilities include:

• Assist with the installation, testing, operation and troubleshooting of X-ray spectroscopy end station instrumentation (mechanical, cryogenic-vacuum and control systems).
• Assist with user and staff technical support on X-ray spectroscopy beam lines.
• Participate in the development, design, prototyping, procurement and commissioning of scientific equipment.
• Modify, repair, and troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Prepare and review drawings, material lists, requisitions, job orders, engineering change requests, and other documents associated with development, fabrication, assembly, installations, and testing with supervision from scientific staff.
• Support scientific or engineering installations; plan and execute various phases of an operation, oversee schedule of equipment operations, and perform routine maintenance.
• Acquire and maintain tools, equipment, and chemicals associated with experimental or engineering projects.
• Maintain documentation related to instrumentation and protocols.
• Liaise between researchers, students, technical staff, scientists, vendors, and other university staff; serve as a resource, providing training and practical guidance.
• Other duties may also be assigned

Note: The position requires working extended or unusual work schedule nine months of