Staff Scientist

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.

• 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
• Provide design requirements, system performance metrics, and implement as needed for new accelerator and FEL diagnostics systems
• Provide expertise in 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-ongoing maintenance and lead in modernization upgrade efforts
• Propose new ideas for FELs and their linac drivers consistent with the SLAC mission and oversee the project execution
• 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 escalating to experts as appropriate
• Document diagnostics systems, prepare operator training and instruction manuals
• Participate in machine development and commissioning 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.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• PhD degree in physics, computer science, mathematics, engineering or related field plus minimum 4 years of relevant experience in the following:
  • Working with industrial or laboratory particle accelerator systems
  • Effective communication and writing skills 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
• Strong background in accelerator and/or FEL physics and operation as demonstrated through publication and conference history
• Demonstrated project leadership, exceptional organizational skills, understanding of planning process, providing effective oversight and achieving milestones and goals throughout the project cycle
• Ability to learn and understand a broad range of hardware and software and lead…