Research Scientist, Laser-Plasma Accelerators and X-ray Sources

University of Texas at Austin

1d • $100,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Center for High Energy Density Science (CHEDS) at The University of Texas at Austin seeks an accomplished experimental physicist to lead a research program in laser wakefield electron accelerators, laser-driven x-ray and muon sources, and the physics they enable. The researcher will build UT’s laser-based x-ray capability for semiconductor and medical applications, support the LaVHEE effort on laser-driven very-high-energy electron beams for radiotherapy, lead UT’s participation in the LSU-led LaNeXT project, and lead the x-ray beamline portion of the planned TeX-Ray Texas laser synchrotron facility, including support for its laser development.

This highly independent research role offers opportunities to lead proposals, supervise researchers and students, and help shape a new national user facility at the interface of ultra-high-intensity laser science, accelerator physics, semiconductor metrology, and medical imaging. The work involves UT3, the Texas Petawatt and associated UT Austin laboratories, as well as off-site facilities and partner meetings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, or a related field.
• At least six years of post-Ph.D. experience and at least eight years of total research experience, including pre-doctoral university or national laboratory research, in experimental laser-plasma physics or accelerator science.
• Demonstrated record of leading experiments in laser wakefield acceleration and laser-driven x-ray generation (betatron, inverse Compton, or similar), documented by peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience with x-ray imaging or scattering techniques, such as radiography, micro-CT, XRD, or phase-contrast imaging, including detectors, optics, and data reconstruction.
• Experience with high-power (at least 50 TW) Ti:sapphire laser systems and execution of experiments at external laser facilities.
• Record of securing external research funding or leading major proposal components, such as NSF mid-scale or multi-institution projects.
• Experience supervising researchers and students.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing x-ray metrology for semiconductor or medical applications, or collaborating with industry or clinical partners.
• Experience designing and commissioning beamlines or user end stations at a laser, synchrotron, or accelerator facility.
• Experience with high-repetition-rate laser-plasma systems, gas-jet and gas-cell targets, and electron and x-ray beam diagnostics.
• Experience in muon physics, laser-based muon generation, and muon imaging such as muon tomography.
• Experience using ML/AI methods for data analysis, tomographic reconstruction, or machine control.
• Experience with PIC and x-ray transport simulation tools such as WarpX, Osiris, or Geant4, and with Python or C++.

Responsibilities

• Lead research on laser wakefield electron accelerators and betatron, inverse-Compton, and other laser-driven x-ray sources, including experiments at UT3, the Texas Petawatt, and external facilities such as BELLA at LBNL, ELI Beamlines, and ELI-NP.
• Develop laser-based x-ray diagnostics for semiconductor and medical applications, including 3D micro-CT of packaged chips, x-ray diffraction, phase-contrast imaging, and related techniques.
• Support development of laser-driven very-high-energy electron beams for radiotherapy (LaVHEE) in collaboration with industry and clinical partners.
• Lead the x-ray beamline portion of TeX-Ray, including MIMIX and associated beamlines: design, commissioning, and operation; support laser development for the facility.
• Lead UT’s participation in the LSU LaNeXT project by co-leading UT’s proposal and project work, representing UT with LSU and partner institutions, delivering UT’s laser-driven x-ray contributions, and developing related user-program and funding efforts.
• Publish research results and present at conferences.
• Supervise postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, technical staff, and undergraduate research assistants.

Benefits

• Employer-paid health insurance, with employee premiums covered at 100% and spouse and family premiums at 50%.
• Dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• Paid holidays.
• Retirement plan, with TRS eligibility and an option to elect ORP subject to stated eligibility conditions.

What This Job Offers

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