Associate Staff Scientist - SSRL Energy Sciences XAS

Overview

Position Overview Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a Directorate of SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and a national research facility for synchrotron radiation science, seeks an Associate Staff Scientist to join its Chemistry and Catalysis Division. The successful candidate will focus on the development, operation, scientific user support, and in-house research program of the tender high-energy-resolution X-ray spectroscopy end station s end station operates in the 2 5 keV energy range, enabling advanced spectroscopic studies of scientifically critical elements such as sulfur, chlorine, molybdenum, ruthenium, and transuranic elements.

SSRL's tender high-energy-resolution spectroscopy capability at BL6-2 provides high-energy-resolution X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES), resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXS), and high-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) in the 2 5 keV energy range. This capability enables advanced studies of scientifically important elements relevant to catalysis, environmental science, actinide and transuranic chemistry, life sciences, and functional materials. The tender spectroscopy program at SSRL synergizes with the tender X-ray capabilities at the Linac Coherent Light Source II (LCLS-II), enabling coordinated scientific programs that leverage the strengths of both synchrotron- and XFEL-based approaches.

The scientist in this role will contribute to the development of such synergistic programs and, over time, to the extension of tender X-ray spectroscopy at SSRL into the time domain.

A key responsibility of this position is the continued development and routine operation of the Rowland circle spectrometers at the tender spectroscopy end station, including ensuring reliable performance and expanding experimental capabilities. The scientist will also design and implement specialized sample environments, including in-situ and operando configurations, tailored to the requirements of tender X-ray spectroscopy.

An important aspect of the role is supporting and growing the tender X-ray spectroscopy user community  scientist will work closely with users to design effective experiments and will contribute to the development of data analysis tools and workflows that streamline the path from data collection to scientific insight. The selected candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technical staff.

The developments and research activities will focus on chemistry, catalysis, energy science, environmental science, and broader applications, supporting SSRL s scientific direction in alignment with the DOE research priorities.

Note:

This position is posted at the Associate Staff Scientist level. The Associate Scientist position is a 3-to-5-year fixed term position and the entry level in the Staff Scientist career path. 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.

Applicants should include a cover letter, a statement of research including a summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of five references for future letters of recommendation with the application. Review of applications will begin immediately. Later applications may be considered at the discretion of the search committee.