SXN Beamline Scientist

ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is an advanced 3 GeV synchrotron light source operating at Brookhaven National Laboratory, a multipurpose research institution funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science. NSLS-II is seeking exceptional candidates for a Beamline Scientist for the Soft X-ray Nanoprobe (SXN) Beamline. As part of the NSLS-II Experimental Tools II (NEXT-II) project, the SXN Beamline is currently under construction and targeting first light in early 2027 where it shares a straight section with the ARPES and RIXS Imaging (ARI) Beamline. The SXN Beamline offers world-class soft X-ray nano-Imaging and SpectroMicroscopy capabilities, with ultra-high spatial resolution (~ sub-10 nm) over a wide photon energy range (250 eV – 2500 eV) and world-leading coherent high photon flux, for observing the morphologic and chemically-specific information on a wide range of materials. The state-of-the-art scanning transmission and ptychography microscope at the SXN beamline enables research in a wide range of scientific disciplines including but not limited to catalysis, condensed matter physics, nanotechnology, energy and environmental science.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The successful candidate will be part of a diverse scientific program. Working closely with the ARI & SXN Beamline Scientists and the scientific user community, the selected candidate will assist with design, construction and commissioning of the beamline, support operation of the beamline, contribute to development/upgrade projects, establish relevant research projects, and develop opportunities for scientific collaborations that exploit the unique capabilities of the SXN beamline.

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively contribute to the beamline design, construction, commissioning, operations, and user support.
• Maintain, upgrade and develop the instrumentation to fulfill scientific demands and maintain beamline performance at the forefront of the field to support NSLS-II users.
• Provide, as part of an open-source process, data acquisition and analysis software tools for soft x-ray microscopy and imaging as required to enable staff and users at the SXN beamline to maintain scientific output at the forefront of the field and to meet emerging needs of the user community.
• Work with NSLS-II staff in development of automation to improve the SXN beamline throughput, reliability and productivity from measurement to analysis.
• Design, implement, and maintain new in-situ/operando capabilities at the SXN beamline.
• Support and grow the SXN user community and provide users with the support and capabilities needed to achieve and complete high-impact experiments.
• Develop collaborative scientific opportunities for high-impact research, taking advantage of the SXN capabilities and working with NSLS-II scientists, BNL scientists, and General Users.
• Develop a science program, instrumentation and/or analysis software working as a member of a team to conduct experimental programs in the Soft X-ray Scattering and Spectroscopy Program at NSLS-II.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science or related fields.
• At least two (2) years of post-PhD “hands-on” experience in synchrotron-based X-ray imaging, spectroscopy, and/or coherent scattering.
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental data analysis and/or simulation through publication or software development.
• Python programming experience, or similar skills, and a willingness to contribute to the development of NSLS-II data analysis tools in an open-source, collaborative environment.
• Excellent publication record.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to interact effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technical staff, and users.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Significant knowledge of synchrotron-based X-ray spectroscopic imaging, ptychography and/or X-ray tomography, and its application in materials, physics, and chemistry research at nanoscale, demonstrated by publication or analysis programs.
• Experience with in-situ/operando X-ray experiments and other experimental techniques used in relevant research areas, such as electrochemistry, microfluidics, thin film sample preparation, time-resolved experiments, etc.
• Demonstrated experience involving multi-modal investigations using STXM and/or other techniques, such as ptychography, X-ray fluorescence, tomography, X-ray spectroscopy, etc.
• Prior experience in the design, installation, commissioning, and operation of components or instruments at a synchrotron x-ray facilities and experience with user support.
• Experience in developing and troubleshooting experimental instrumentation, such as on nano-motion controls, high vacuum systems, X-ray optics, X-ray pixel detectors, etc.
• Demonstrated capability of working independently.
• Good organizational, analytical skills and work planning capabilities.

Other Information:

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $98650 – $179350 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience.  Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.