SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

The Accelerator Directorate at SLAC National Laboratory seeks a talented Diagnostic Instrumentation Specialist with demonstrated knowledge and experience developing beam diagnostics instrumentation hardware and integration in accelerator control systems.

The successful candidate will support user science and R&D programs at the world’s most powerful x-ray free electron laser, the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), by developing, deploying, and maintaining accelerator diagnostic tools and systems.

The Diagnostics and Applications Development Department is responsible for accelerator diagnostic systems and physics analysis software applications. Our team develops instrumentation and high-level applications (HLAs) enabling novel operating modes to explore new scientific frontiers. An important aspect is effective collaboration and communication with accelerator operations, controls engineering, and many other groups at SLAC, as well as scientists at other accelerator facilities and DOE partner labs.

This position offers the opportunity to gain valuable experience in the rapidly evolving field of high-power accelerator-driven x-ray sources. The main responsibility of this role is developing diagnostic instrumentation systems for precision measurement and control of linear accelerators and electron beam physics parameters.

The successful applicant is expected to actively participate in R&D aligned with the lab’s long-term goals, prepare proposals, and manage such projects. Responsibilities will also include participation in the commissioning and operation of diagnostics systems, physics application benchmarking, and machine development studies which will require occasional shift work.

The main responsibilities of this role include:

• Support LCLS accelerator diagnostics systems development, deployment, and operations
• Participate and collaborate in accelerator science, beam diagnostics, and instrumentation R&D programs to enable next generation accelerator operation modes, capabilities, and technologies
• Interpret and execute design requirements and implement as needed for new accelerator and FEL diagnostics systems
• Become familiar with the operation of accelerator EPICS-based control systems and high-level application GUIs implemented in MATLAB and Python
• Become familiar with SLAC legacy hardware and diagnostic systems for on-going maintenance and participate in modernization upgrade efforts
• Develop new ideas for FELs and their linac drivers consistent with the SLAC mission
• Participate in the development of new delivery modes, tuning, and accelerator physics studies for improved performance
• Troubleshoot issues at first level, identifying and resolving diverse technical issues as they arise, and escalate to experts as appropriate
• Document diagnostics systems, prepare operator training and instruction manuals
• Participate in machine development and daily accelerator control room activities; take rotations as program deputy

Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site and hybrid work options.

Note: The Associate Scientist is a 3-to-5-year fixed term research staff position. The next level of this career path, Staff Scientist is a regular continuing position. The Associate Scientist position is scheduled to be assessed after the 3-to-5-year period with the possibility of appointment to the Staff Scientist level. Appointment to the Staff Scientist level requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievement.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• PhD degree in physics, computer science, mathematics, engineering or related field plus minimum 2 years of relevant experience in the following:
• Working with industrial or laboratory particle accelerator systems
• Effective communication and writing skills/experience for creating scientific presentations, authoring publications, and preparing technical documentation
• Good communication skills with independent decision making and ability to work well in a large, multi-disciplinary team focused on accelerator physics, operation and development
• Ability to define and solve logical problems for highly technical applications
• Knowledge of accelerator and/or FEL physics and operation as demonstrated through publication and conference history
• Demonstrated strong team member, exceptional organizational skills, understanding of planning process, and the execution of project goals
• Ability to learn and understand a broad range of hardware and software and lead the design of new diagnostic instrumentation systems
• Excellent data processing and analysis skills
• Flexibility to travel and work off-shift hours when required

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience with user facility operations and research.
• Demonstrated success in proposing and leading independent R&D programs
• Experience with beam diagnostic instrumentation design, commissioning and operation
• Experience with DOE funded national laboratory research and Office of Science missions
• Experience with high-level programming of data acquisition and analysis in MATLAB and/or Python including scripting in Linux/Unix
• Experience with Experimental Physics and Industrial Control System (EPICS)
• Knowledge of other key technical systems required for operation such as vacuum and precision alignment/motion systems, low-level RF and high, pulsed-power RF systems
• Knowledge of superconducting RF technology including cryogenic systems

SLAC Competencies:

• 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 & 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 their job.
• May work extended or unusual work hours based on research and project requirements

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.

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Classification Title: Associate Scientist 

Grade: K

Job code: 1092

Duration: Fixed Term

The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 to $171,000 per annum. 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.