Nanoscale X-ray Microscopy Scientist - Brookhaven National Laboratory

The Imaging and Microscopy Program at BNL’s National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) offers world-class capabilities for imaging complex and heterogeneous materials with diverse imaging modalities at multiple length scales.  The Imaging and Microscopy Program operates four beamlines (FXI, HXN, SRX, TES) with strong general user programs and is currently constructing the CDI beamline.  FXI and HXN are nanoscale resolution beamlines offering full-field and scanning imaging capabilities, respectively.  TES and SRX are scanning imaging beamlines with micron to submicron level resolutions.  CDI is a coherent diffractive imaging beamline with a high degree of specialization for Bragg CDI. Members of the Imaging and Microscopy Program share common tools and resources and engage in strong inter-beamline collaboration. 

Position Description
 

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is seeking a beamline scientist to join the Imaging and Microscopy Program. Performing the user support at the Hard X-ray Nanoprobe (HXN) beamline, the successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of x-ray nano-imaging techniques by exploiting its world-class spatial resolution and multimodal capabilities to conduct groundbreaking research.

The HXN beamline offers a beam size of approximately 10 nm, enabling the characterization of elemental, chemical, and structural variations within complex and heterogeneous material systems in both 2D and 3D. Furthermore, it provides sub-10 nm resolution with ptychographic imaging. A comprehensive suite of x-ray imaging techniques, including fluorescence mapping, nano-XANES, nano-diffraction, tomography, and ptychography, are available for scientific exploration. The HXN beamline stands as a versatile hard x-ray scanning microscopy tool, offering unparalleled capabilities due to its unique combination of high spatial resolution, multi-modality, and 3D characterization.

The candidate will support users at the HXN beamline, transforming the beamline instrument capabilities into mature, user-friendly tools. The candidate will also advance 3D imaging techniques to maintain HXN’s competitive edge, focusing on rapid data acquisition, ptychographic tomography, and in-situ/operando capabilities. The scientist will collaborate with beamline staff, engineering, and control groups to develop a next generation scanning microscopy system with fast scanning capability, as well as the necessary data analysis tools.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish a science program that leverages the imaging capabilities at the HXN beamline. Collaboration with members of the imaging and microscopy program to exploit the scientific synergy across beamlines is also anticipated.

Brookhaven National Laboratory and the Energy and Photon Sciences Directorate are committed to your success. We offer a supportive work environment and the resources necessary for you to succeed.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Perform user support at the HXN beamline, exploring opportunities for high-impact, collaborative research with users.
• Work with the NSLS-II staff to perform beamline operation tasks, including commissioning, maintenance, and upgrading.
• Develop and commission a next-generation microscopy system for ptychographic tomography and enhance nano-imaging capabilities with new method development. 
• Develop and refine workflow from measurements to analysis, enhancing productivity, reliability, and efficiency.
• Collaborate on developing in-situ/operando cells that allow 2D and 3D characterization with NSLS-II staff and/or external vendors.
• Explore opportunities for high-impact research using the capabilities within the imaging and microscopy program and the NSLS-II
• Publish work in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientific meetings.

Required Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Minimum experience of +2 years of post-Ph.D. research experience, 8+ years of post-Bachelor research experience, or 6+ years of post-Master research experience with a degree in physics, materials science, chemistry, or a relevant field, while a Ph.D. is preferred.
• At least two (2) years of “hands-on” experience with x-ray imaging, x-ray microscopy, or with synchrotron experiments
• Demonstrated expertise in experimental data analysis
• Excellent  publication and presentation record in relevant areas.
• Ability to interact effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technical staff, and users

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: 

• Extensive research experience and significant knowledge of x-ray microscopy and imaging, demonstrated in publications or software development
• Significant instrumentation experience relevant to scanning microscopy, ptychography, or tomography
• Demonstrated expertise in microscopy/imaging data analysis or simulations through publications or software development.
• Experience with user support at a synchrotron facility.
• Demonstrated proficiency in scientific programming (preferably Python) in areas relevant to microscopy/imaging.

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $101200 - $184000 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience.  Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.