Postdoctoral Researcher - Ultrafast Science

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

8d • $69,084 - $82,836 • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a Postdoctoral Researcher - Ultrafast Science within the Atomic, Molecular and Optical Sciences (AMOS) group in the Chemical Sciences Division. This position will investigate the dynamics of ionized and excited molecules using extreme ultraviolet and X-ray photons and imaging techniques such as COLd Target Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy (COLTRIMS)/Reaction Microscopy (REMI).
The AMOS group addresses fundamental questions in atomic, molecular, and chemical sciences using state-of-the-art tools such as free electron lasers, laboratory-based extreme ultraviolet ultrafast laser sources, synchrotrons, and electron beams, combined with advanced electron, ion, and photon detection techniques. Together with cutting-edge theory, we explore molecular physics and chemistry across a wide range of energies and timescales.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Experimental Chemistry or Physics.
• Experience in COLTRIMS/REMI or velocity map imaging.
• Proficiency in analyzing multidimensional list-mode data sets and simulating COLTRIMS/REMI experiments.
• Experience with complex high-vacuum chambers containing electron and ion spectrometers and EUV optics.
• Experience in data acquisition (e.g., COBOLD, LabVIEW), programming (e.g., Fortran, C++, Matlab, Python), and momentum spectroscopy.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment and communicate results clearly.

Nice To Haves

• Mentor and guide students, interns, and coworkers.
• Support research activities of other team members.
• Keep detailed experimental records and communicate results to the group and PI on a weekly basis.
• Experience with ultrafast laser operation, chirped pulse amplification, pulse shaping and compression, optical parametric amplification, and high harmonic generation.
• Engineering skills in vacuum, optics, electronics, or computing.
• Demonstrated ability to convey results through well-written and concise documentation.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact with members of a large multidisciplinary research team.
• Well versed in giving presentations about science and technique.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on energy- and time-resolved electronic and nuclear dynamics of excited molecules through analysis of multi-particle coincidence 3D momentum imaging list-mode data.
• Lead collaborative projects investigating molecular dynamics and correlation effects using synchrotron radiation (e.g., PETRA-III, MAX-IV) and X-ray free electron lasers (e.g., LCLS-II, EuXFEL).
• Participate in tabletop high harmonic generation experiments and 3D momentum spectroscopy using electron-ion coincidence techniques in a dedicated laser laboratory.
• Prepare high-quality manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and contribute to beamtime proposals and progress reports.
• Present research in group meetings and at national and international conferences.
• Maintain high safety standards in our research labs, accurate data records, and infrastructure supporting group research.

Benefits

• The salary range for this position is $69,084 - $82,836 and is expected to start at $69,084 or above.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

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