Beam Instrumentation Physicist

Oak Ridge National Laboratory•Oak Ridge, TN

12d

About The Position

The Beam Instrumentation Physicist supports the design, development, implementation, and maintenance of beam instrumentation computer systems, electronic control and monitoring systems, RF interface components, and laser control subsystems for the Spallation Neutron Source (SNS). The position is part of the Beam Instrumentation Group in the Accelerator Science and Technology Section, Research Accelerator Division, Neutron Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The role provides operational support and intellectual ownership of hardware, firmware, and software for SNS beam instrumentation systems, including Differential Beam Current Monitors (DBCMs), the Electron Scanner, and the Target Imaging System. The physicist develops and implements upgrades and new systems, plans beam studies to improve instrumentation performance, participates in accelerator shifts, and contributes to scientific publications and presentations. The position also supports group planning and graduate student coordination, complies with environment, safety, health, and quality requirements, and may require occasional off-hours and weekend support for 24/7 SNS operations. Employment at ORNL requires Real ID-compliant identification and the ability to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card. A favorable Federal Tier 1 background investigation is required. Visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

PhD degree in accelerator science or a related discipline; an MS degree in physics or a related discipline is accepted with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Relevant technical experience in the design, research and development, construction, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and improvement of accelerator systems.
Extensive knowledge of beam instrumentation and/or accelerator physics, or similar instrumentation.
Experience in software development.
Working knowledge of electronics hardware.
Ability to obtain and maintain a federal PIV card and successfully pass a Federal Tier 1 background investigation.
Real ID-compliant identification is required for employment at ORNL.

Nice To Haves

Solid understanding of physics theory, particularly electrodynamics.
Experience working with an accelerator, such as in a control room, conducting accelerator-based experiments, or performing accelerator simulations.
Experience programming in real-time operating systems.
Experience with LabVIEW programming.
Experience with FPGA programming.
Experience with analog electronics development.

Responsibilities

Support operation and hold intellectual ownership of hardware, firmware, and software for SNS beam instrumentation systems, including DBCMs, the Electron Scanner, and the Target Imaging System.
Develop and implement upgrades and new beam instrumentation systems as needs arise.
Develop lines of inquiry and beam study plans to improve SNS accelerator beam instrumentation performance.
Participate in shifts to pursue beam studies.
Participate in scientific conferences and workshops and publish results in SNS technical notes, proceedings, and journals.
Contribute to group and section goal-setting, resource planning, and policy development.
Assist the group leader in coordinating graduate student work.
Ensure compliance with ESH&Q program requirements, including ISMS.
Provide operational support for accelerator systems, including occasional off-hours and weekend support for 24/7 SNS operations.
Align behaviors, priorities, and interactions with ORNL’s core values and promote equal opportunity through a respectful workplace.