Research Associate (ARD FEL - Attosecond Science)

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

SLAC national accelerator laboratory's FEL R&D group is looking to hire a postdoc/RA to join their attosecond science team. The attosecond science group develops new FEL capabilities and supports cutting-edge user experiments. Recent results include the measurement of sub-fs TW soft x-ray pulses and two-color attosecond-pump/attosecond-probe experiments.

The attosecond science team is looking for an ambitious candidate to help develop attosecond metrology in order to study and exploit the unique properties of the single-spike FEL. This is an interdisciplinary role, mixing accelerator physics with attosecond science, and we welcome candidates from either background. This position is an opportunity to study both fundamental FEL physics and to build tools in service to the lab. The successful candidate will gain exposure to the cutting edge LCLS soft x-ray attosecond program and build a platform to launch their own research.

The role is centered on a project to build an attosecond streaking diagnostic in which the x-ray pulse excites photoelectrons into the strong space-charge field of the electron beam. Photoelectrons emitted earlier will be experience more acceleration, creating and energy-to-time map which can be used to decode the attosecond pulse structure and measure the mutual coherence between the electron beam and x-rays .

SLAC is one of the world's premier research laboratories, with capabilities in photon science, accelerator physics, high energy physics, and energy sciences. More information can be found on SLAC's website: https://www6.slac.stanford.edu/ , https://accelerators.slac.stanford.edu/research .

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

Your specific job responsibilities may include:

• Development and optimization of attosecond FEL techniques at LCLS-II
• Attosecond streaking instrument design, bench testing, and commissioning
• Start-to-end modelling
• Contribute to papers and reports on the research being conducted; participate in conferences and other avenues for sharing research results.

Note: The Research Associate role is a fixed term staff position. This is a 2 years fixed-term appointment with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding.

Applicants must provide evidence of either a recently completed PhD degree or confirmation of completion of the PhD degree requirements prior to starting the position. Applicants should also include a cover letter, a statement of research area including brief summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of three references for future letters of recommendation with the application.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, electrical engineering, quantum chemistry, or related fields, and coursework or/and research experience in (some of) the following areas:
  • Accelerator physics
  • Photoelectron spectroscopy
  • Attosecond metrology (Attosecond streaking, RABITT etc.)
• Strong experimental, analytical and computation skills
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment

SLAC Employee 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, team collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.

Physical requirements and 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 his or her job.

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 1General 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

• Classification Title: Research Associate-Experimental
• Grade: G
• Job code: 0127
• Duration: Fixed Term

The expected pay range for this position is $70,000 - $100,000 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.