X-ray Microscopy Scientist - Brookhaven National Laboratory

POSITION DESCRIPTION 

The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is seeking a beamline scientist to join the Imaging and Microscopy Program. The successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of sub-micron x-ray imaging techniques. Stationed at the Submicron Resolution X-ray spectroscopy (SRX) beamline, the candidate will leverage its sub-micron spatial resolution and multimodal capabilities to conduct cutting-edge research.

The SRX beamline is a hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe that delivers a sub-micron focused beam over a wide range of complex samples. The diverse user community studies samples ranging from energy and materials science to biology and Earth and environmental sciences. Using the SRX beamline, researchers hope to better understand their systems using the high-resolution, high-flux fluorescence microprobe to mainly collect 2D elemental maps and point spectroscopy. The beamline is not limited to these techniques and more advanced users utilize 2D XANES imaging, 3D X-ray fluorescence tomography. More recently, the ability to collect nano-XRD for identifying and mapping different phases or strain in a sample is demonstrated and requested among the user community.

A candidate is expected to be familiar with scanning-probe imaging techniques and driven to develop the SRX beamline to stay attractive to the user community. This includes continued improvements for faster data collection, building in situ and operando capabilities, developing data processing workflows, and investigating new imaging and spectroscopy techniques into the beamline. The scientist will collaborate with beamline staff, engineering, and controls groups to implement these improvements. The candidate will also support users at the SRX beamline, providing an opportunity to actively engage with the user community, identify their needs and collaborate to build new tools into the beamline.

The successful candidate will have an opportunity to establish a science program that leverages the imaging capabilities at the SRX 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 SRX beamline, exploring opportunities for high-impact, collaborative research with the users.
    •    Develop and commission new imaging methods to enhance the sub-micron imaging and spectroscopy capabilities at the SRX beamline
·       Develop and refine workflow from measurements to analysis, enhancing productivity, reliability, and efficiency
    •    Interact with the other NSLS-II staff to perform commissioning, maintenance, and upgrading tasks at the SRX
    •    Publish work in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientific meetings
    •    Explore opportunities for high-impact research using the capabilities within the imaging and microscopy program and the NSLS-II

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

·       Research experience with a PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, or a relevant field
·       At least two (2) years post PhD, of “hands-on” experience with x-ray imaging, x-ray microscopy, or with synchrotron experiments
·       Demonstrated expertise in experimental data analysis
·       Good relevant publication record
·       Ability to interact effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technical staff, and users

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and 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, tomography, X-ray diffraction, or ptychography
    •    Experience with in situ or operando experiments
    •    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

Other Information:

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.