SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory ยท 21 hours ago
Research Associate - Experimental X-ray Spectroscopy
Menlo Park, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid Level
$70K/yr - $100K/yrSLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Research Associate focused on laser and electric field-driven transformations of functional materials. The role involves developing and applying experimental techniques for time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and scattering data relevant to microelectronics applications.
Advanced MaterialsBiotechnologyGovernmentLife Science
Responsibilities
Devising and developing technologically relevant materials and device architectures for time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy and scattering studies of electric field-driven switching mechanisms occurring on the pico- to nanosecond timescales
Integrating electrical pump capabilities into existing high-repetition rate optical pump X-ray probe instrumentation and adopting data acquisition schemes to study electric-field driven material transformations with combined atomic structure and electrical transport sensitivity
Conducting time-resolved studies including laser-/electrical pump hard X-ray spectroscopy & scattering probe measurements, data analysis and interpretation
Develop feedback loops to accelerate materials discovery
Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at major scientific meetings
Collaborate within the ultrafast x-ray science, materials science and microelectronics communities at SLAC to build sustainable research efforts on electric field-driven material transformations
Qualification
Required
Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related field
Strong expertise in design, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of functional materials and heterostructures for next-generation technologies
Experience in synchrotron-based advanced hard X-ray spectroscopy (XANES, EXAFS, HERFD, XES, RIXS) and scattering approaches for materials characterization
Working knowledge of high-repetition rate synchrotron-based picosecond time-resolved X-ray techniques, including pump-probe synchronization and data acquisition strategies
Publication record in advanced materials characterization
Preferred
Experience with high-power, high-repetition rate laser systems, wavelength conversion, and optical alignment procedures
Knowledge of materials relevant for optical and electrical switching applications, including for instance correlated oxides, ferroelectric, magnetic, spin-crossover, or low-dimensional materials
Ability to analyze and interpret steady-state and time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy data using first-principles methods, dedicated analysis software and fitting routines (e.g. DFT, FEFF)
Strong computational skills (Python, C++, or MATLAB) for data handling and workflow automation
Experience in devising beamtime proposals for large-scale facilities (XFELs, synchrotrons)
Familiarity with time-resolved x-ray instrumentation, including avalanche photodiodes, area detectors, oscilloscopes, analog-to-digital conversion and timing electronics
Company
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is the U.S. Department of Energy's national lab at Stanford University. It is a sub-organization of Stanford University.
Founded in 1962
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2024 (3)
2023 (59)
2022 (69)
2021 (68)
2020 (41)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
US Department of EnergyU.S. Department of Homeland Security
2023-09-27Grant
2023-08-16Grant
2023-01-20Grant
Leadership Team
Pinku Surana
Staff Engineer
Recent News
2025-12-27
2025-12-13
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