High Power Laser & Particle Accelerator Postdoctoral Scholars
About The Position
The Accelerator Technology & Applied Physics (ATAP) Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) has multiple openings for High Power Laser & Particle Accelerator Postdoctoral Scholars to join the BELLA Center. In this role, you will help advance laser-plasma accelerator (LPA) technologies for generating high-energy particle beams, developing next-generation light sources, and enabling new radiation applications. Conducted under the direction and supervision of faculty mentors, you will investigate topics such as LPA stabilization, ultra-high-brightness electron beam production for free-electron lasers, AI/ML-based control systems, start-to-end simulations, radiation diagnostics, and proof-of-principle radiation experiments. You will also take part in BELLA-led and collaborative experimental campaigns, including those supported through the LaserNetUS and BeamNetUS networks, while gaining the research experience needed to build an independent academic or research career. We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!
Requirements
- PhD in Physics, Engineering, or a related field focused on accelerator physics, lasers, plasmas, or a closely related discipline.
- Demonstrated experimental experience working in high power laser or particle accelerator facilities.
- Demonstrated knowledge of standard equipment like motion controllers, pressure controllers, machine vision cameras, power supplies etc.
- Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following: CPA laser systems, accelerator physics, plasma-based accelerators, and accelerator-based generation of secondary radiation (photons and particles).
- Ability to work closely in a team with other scientists, postdocs, graduate students and technicians but also be self-driven.
- Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
- Assist with the execution of regular experimental operations of multi-TW and PW-class laser systems.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge and experience with programming in Python and/or LabVIEW.
Responsibilities
- Assist with the design and execution experiments to optimize the performance of laser plasma accelerators, the particle & photon radiation pulses they produce, and novel applications that can be explored. This includes research on single-stage and multi-stage laser plasma acceleration of electrons, production of proton & muon beams, and generation of UV, EUV, X-ray, and gamma ray radiation.
- Help maintain and develop rigorous operational procedures to ensure consistent and reliable operation of multi-TW to PW class laser systems.
- Study and apply feedback control methods to stabilize amplified, ultrashort laser pulses and the radiation output they produce. Explore advanced control concepts, including machine learning and AI integration, for accelerator systems.
- Assist with the execution of simulation studies to refine approaches to single-stage and multi-stage laser-plasma acceleration of relativistic electron beams.
- Assist with the execution of simulation studies to refine approaches and identify novel schemes for producing and using high brightness electron beams for radiation production through mechanisms such as free-electron laser gain, plasma-based betatron emission, and Inverse Compton Scattering.
- Work collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of scientists, engineers and theorists to efficiently assist with the execution of the above tasks.
- Document and communicate the results of work in reports and oral presentations, including participation in meetings, reviews, conferences and publications in refereed journals.
Benefits
- Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
- Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
