Assistant Physicist – Laue Microdiffraction

Argonne National Laboratory•Lemont, IL

19d

About The Position

The Surface Scattering and Microdiffraction (SSM) group in the X-ray Science Division of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory seeks an Assistant Physicist to support the operation, development, and scientific program of the 34-ID-E beamline. The beamline provides polychromatic and monochromatic micro- and nanofocused X-ray beams for spatially resolved studies of crystalline materials. Its core capability is 3D Laue microdiffraction for characterizing crystal structure, orientation, strain, and microstructural evolution. It also supports X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, and coherent X-ray techniques for materials research. The Assistant Physicist will support beamline commissioning, operation, and continued development; develop advanced X-ray microdiffraction and microscopy methods, instrumentation, and scientific applications that use the upgraded APS source; and support user experiments, including guidance with data analysis and interpretation. The role also contributes to the beamline’s user community and scientific capabilities through independent and collaborative research, and through publishing and presenting results. Other duties may be assigned. The position is in the Research Development (RD) job family, Physics 2 profile. Argonne describes its workplace as committed to safe, welcoming, collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Employment offers are contingent on an individualized background check, and the position may require government access authorization.

Requirements

Ph.D. in physics, materials science, engineering, or a closely related field.
Knowledge of X-ray diffraction, crystallography, and microdiffraction, with applications to materials characterization.
Experience with synchrotron X-ray techniques and experimental methods.
Scientific programming and computational skills for data analysis, experimental workflows, or instrument control.
Ability to analyze and interpret diffraction and materials-characterization data.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a scientific team environment.
Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
Interpersonal, oral communication, and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels inside and outside the laboratory.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Laue diffraction, nanodiffraction, and spatially resolved crystallographic characterization.
Knowledge of X-ray optics, focusing systems, detectors, precision instrumentation, and beamline systems.
Experience with coherent X-ray diffraction, scattering, imaging, or related techniques.
Experience developing X-ray instrumentation, experimental methods, or data-analysis tools.
Experience supporting experiments at a synchrotron or other large-scale research facility.

Responsibilities

Support commissioning, operation, and continued development of the 34-ID-E beamline.
Develop advanced X-ray microdiffraction and microscopy methods, instrumentation, and scientific applications that take advantage of the upgraded APS source.
Support user experiments at 34-ID-E, including guidance on data analysis and interpretation.
Contribute to the growth of the beamline’s user community.
Carry out independent and collaborative research and help expand scientific capabilities at 34-ID-E.
Publish and present research results in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.
Perform other duties as assigned, if required.