Postdoctoral Appointee – Storage-Ring-Based X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Oscillator

Argonne National Laboratory • Lemont, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The X-ray Science Division (XSD) Optics group and the Accelerator Systems Division (ASD) Diagnostics group at Argonne National Laboratory are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to contribute to conceptual development of a storage-ring-based X-ray free-electron laser oscillator (SR-XFELO) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS). The project will assess the feasibility of a hard X-ray oscillator operating at 9.8 keV within a 5-meter APS undulator section. The concept incorporates a transverse-gradient undulator, a diamond-crystal X-ray cavity, and associated high-heat-load X-ray optics.

The appointee will contribute to the design, simulation, and experimental characterization of key SR-XFELO components and systems, with emphasis on X-ray cavity optics, FEL simulations, and integration with a next-generation sub-meV inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer. The position involves collaboration with researchers and engineers across APS and other Argonne divisions in a multidisciplinary research environment.

The position is based at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, and requires an on-site presence at least four days per week during regular daytime hours. It also supports off-hours experiments.

Requirements

• Recent Ph.D. (within the last 0–5 years) in physics, photon science, accelerator science, engineering, or a related field.
• Demonstrated hands-on experimental experience in an accelerator, synchrotron-radiation, beamline, or comparable scientific environment.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with accelerator and photon science, including free-electron lasers, synchrotron radiation, X-ray optics, X-ray cavity concepts, and crystallography.
• Experience with synchrotron beamline instrumentation, optical metrology, cryogenic systems, high-heat-load optics, or related experimental techniques.
• Experience with numerical modeling or simulation relevant to accelerator physics, X-ray optics, thermal analysis, or mechanical stability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate X-ray cavity concepts and optical components for SR-XFELO operation.
• Perform electron- and X-ray-beam simulations to assess FEL and cavity performance.
• Design, test, and characterize cryogenically cooled diamond-crystal cavity mirrors at APS beamlines.
• Investigate high-heat-load X-ray optical components and develop methods to improve their thermal and mechanical stability.
• Support conceptual integration of the SR-XFELO with a next-generation sub-meV inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer.
• Contribute to the design of optical, mechanical, and diagnostic systems for component and subsystem testing.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree