CryoEPIC Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory•Berkeley, CA

11h•Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a CryoEPIC Sr. Scientific Engineering Associate within the Molecular Foundry division. The Molecular Foundry is a Department of Energy–funded nanoscience research facility that provides a global user community with access to world-class expertise and instrumentation in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. Within the Foundry, the National Center for Electron Microscopy (NCEM) supports a broad user base through unique instruments, expert guidance, hands-on assistance, and training in advanced electron microscopy. This role supports both user research and staff R&D at the new cryoEPIC (Cryogenic Electron Ptychography and Imaging Center) facility, which includes two state-of-the-art S/TEMs (a dedicated TEM and a probe-corrected STEM), a FIB, and associated sample preparation tools. You will help enable materials-science experiments using TEM, STEM, 4D-STEM, ptychography, EDS, EELS, cryogenic approaches, and in-situ TEM techniques. Responsibilities include user training, day-to-day instrument operations, troubleshooting and maintenance coordination, sample preparation support, and guidance on data analysis workflows. In the near term, you will help bring new microscopes online and build the operational foundation (safety, SOPs, lab organization); over time, you’ll contribute to new experimental methods and analysis workflows and expand capabilities across NCEM through collaboration and cross-training.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific/engineering/technical field (or equivalent knowledge) plus extensive hands-on professional experience with advanced electron microscopy.
Strong communicator who can work effectively with a diverse user community, from first-time users to expert microscopists.
Demonstrated commitment to a positive, proactive safety culture.
Demonstrated expertise in electron microscopy imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopy.
Proven ability to diagnose technical issues and troubleshoot complex scientific equipment.
Ability to work independently, apply sound judgment, and resolve varied technical problems that require evaluating data and tradeoffs.
Strong interest in advancing electron microscopy and learning new materials characterization and data analysis approaches.
Enjoys teaching and supporting others through one-on-one training and hands-on scientific enablement.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related field.
Experience designing and executing experiments under cryogenic conditions.
Experience with TEM sample preparation for materials science samples, including cryogenic workflows.
Experience with team science, including mentoring (informal or formal) and supporting collaborative research.
Publication record demonstrating scientific contributions.
Demonstrated ability to independently drive projects and serve as a go-to technical/scientific resource for others.

Responsibilities

Enable and mentor users on cryoEPIC JEOL cryo-STEM and JEOL cryo-TEM, spanning TEM, STEM, 4D-STEM, ptychography, EDS/EELS, cryogenic approaches, in-situ workflows.
Guide and support cryo-FIB sample preparation on the JEOL cryo-FIB, including coaching users on best practices for high-quality outcomes.
Own a portfolio of user projects as the Assigned Scientist, serving as the primary point of contact and providing end-to-end scientific support, including proposal input, experiment strategy, data analysis guidance, and coordinating access and on-site visits.
Drive instrument performance and uptime by participating in troubleshooting and maintenance of TEMs, FIB, and related cryoEPIC facility tools.
Coordinate vendor service and repairs, including initiating service calls and ensuring issues are tracked through resolution.
Develop and continuously improve standard operating procedures (SOPs) for both equipment operation and data analysis workflows, ensuring they are clear, current, and usable for a broad user base.
Champion a strong safety culture by reviewing new work for hazards, maintaining safe operations, and ensuring users and vendors are appropriately trained.
Maintain safety documentation and training required for user and vendor access and work activities.
Ensure day-to-day experimental readiness, including availability and functionality of key accessories (TEM holders, sample prep tools, computers, and related resources).
Maintain an organized, efficient lab environment that supports safe, reliable, high-throughput research operations.
Manage essential lab purchasing and logistics, including consumables and coordinating repair needs with internal and external partners.
Contribute to capability development by leading or supporting projects that expand cryoEPIC user methods, workflows, or tools.
Serve the broader program through participation on Lab committees as needed (e.g., Safety Committee).
Build breadth across NCEM by cross-training on other microscopes and equipment to support additional user instruments as needed.
Collaborate across the Molecular Foundry to strengthen the user program, share expertise, and help users build productive connections in the broader community.