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Associate Staff Scientist - Ultrafast Methods and Metrology

Job ID

6550

Location

SLAC - Menlo Park, CA

Full-Time

Temporary

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a highly skilled and enthusiastic staff scientist to facilitate and lead research at the forefront of laser and ultrafast x-ray science. This role is pivotal in conducting and advancing ultrafast x-ray/optical pump-probe experiments on femtosecond and attosecond time scales.

The successful candidate will develop, maintain, and implement methods to produce ultrafast laser pulses across the visible and IR spectrums and accurately measure the arrival time of X-rays relative to ultrafast optical laser pulses in LCLS experiments. They will focus on transitioning research and development concepts for laser pulse generation in the standard LCLS Tabletop Laser Integrated Elements (TILES)top operations and perform fiber laser and detector development to enable the next generation x-ray/optical timing measurements.** **Their work will involve close collaboration with scientists, engineers, and support staff across SLAC to strengthen our ultrafast laser capabilities across the LCLS facility. Moreover, the successful applicant will assist in conducting user-driven experiments at LCLS, effectively translating user needs into practical solutions to achieve scientific objectives.

This work will be key to exploiting the full capability of LCLS-II, a cutting-edge, high-repetition-rate XFEL, recently brought online at SLAC, that is capable of reaching repetition rates up to 1 MHz. This advancement allows for the exploration of ultrafast dynamics at atomic spatial and attosecond time scales with unprecedented detail. The integration of ultrafast lasers is essential to LCLS capabilities, and the transition to LCLS-II requires the development and characterization of innovative experimental methods to support this science.

The candidate is expected to seize these opportunities while fostering a collaborative and robust user support framework for optimal facility utilization, as well as engaging in scientific research to help shape new scientific directions

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.

What we expect you to bring:

+ **Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, Laser Physics, or related fields, and 2 years of experience leading research efforts in ultrafast laser science including developing and/or operating one or more of the following:**

+ **Experience with ultrafast nonlinear processes for secondary source generation (e.g. optical parametric amplification, difference-frequency generation etc.) at high average power**

+ **Direct experience with ultrafast x-ray free electron laser experiment design and execution.**

+ **Worked with and/or developed instrumentation to measure optical lasers and/or x-rays on the femtosecond time scale.**

+ **Research record as evidenced by a publication record commensurate with level of work experience.**

+ **Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to multi-task and complete assignments.**

+ **Effective communication and writing skills to prepare and present technical and scientific documentation.**

+ **Ability to carry out independent research, collaborate closely with colleagues conducting experimental research, and participate in the writing of scientific proposals to fund research**

In addition, desired experience includes:

+ **Experience with more than one of the technologies described above (i.e. nonlinear conversion, x-ray experiment design, instrumentation)**

+ **High-power (10¿s-100¿s of Watts), femtosecond laser sources based on optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA), and their associated pump lasers and diagnostics.**

+ **Knowledge of femtosecond laser sources based on spectral broadening and compression of femtosecond-picosecond lasers systems in hollow fibers or multi-pass cells.**

+ **Experience with high energy Ti:Sapphire lasers based on chirped pulse amplification (CPA) at the >100TW level, and their associated pump lasers and diagnostics.**

+ **Strong analytical and computational skills, and experience with time-resolved methods**

+ **Familiar with device driver implementation in Python and/or MATLAB**

+ **Documented work performing modular laser system design and implementation.**

+ **Experience building and troubleshooting subpicosecond amplified ultrafast fiber laser systems**

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, 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 the job**

+ **Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work.**

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 Staff Scientist**

+ **Job code: 1092, Grade: K**

+ **Employment Duration: 3-year fixed term**

_The expected pay range for this position is $145,411 - $173,254 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._

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.