Sensor Scientist

Brookhaven National Laboratory • Upton, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Detectors R&D team in the Data Acquisition & Detectors group at the National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) at Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking a scientist for a part-time Research Staff position focused on advanced x-ray detector research and development. The position provides scientific leadership in conceiving, developing, and advancing next-generation x-ray detector technologies for synchrotron applications, with an emphasis on diamond-based detectors. Research areas include thin diamond x-ray detectors, novel contact structures, advanced fabrication and packaging strategies, detector architectures for demanding beamline environments, and methods to improve sensitivity, speed, radiation tolerance, and spatial resolution. The scientist will also help identify future opportunities beyond diamond, including emerging detector materials, device structures, and readout concepts relevant to next-generation x-ray science.

The role involves basic and applied detector research in collaboration with NSLS-II beamline scientists, Brookhaven researchers, DOE programs, universities, and external partners. The successful candidate will lead independent and collaborative R&D efforts, contribute to externally funded programs, and advance detector capabilities supporting NSLS-II and the broader Laboratory mission.

This is a part-time, onsite position at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, New York, with an anticipated effort level of approximately 45–50%. The full salary range is $122,600–$209,233 per year, with placement and salary commensurate with qualifications, education, experience, and the internal peer group. The selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential. Site access requires REAL-ID-compliant identification.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and 12 or more years of experience, Master’s degree and 9 or more years of experience, or Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or a closely related field and 4 or more years of post-Ph.D. experience.
• Demonstrated record of impactful scientific achievement and leadership in detector research and development.
• Extensive experience in semiconductor radiation detectors, with strong expertise in x-ray detector physics and performance characterization.
• Demonstrated expertise in diamond detector development in one or more areas: thin detector structures, contact and electrode design, charge transport and collection, device fabrication, radiation hardness, or beamline-based characterization.
• Ability to lead independent research efforts and contribute to multi-investigator or multidisciplinary programs.
• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications, scientific presentations, and technical contributions recognized by the broader research community.
• Demonstrated success in developing, contributing to, or leading externally funded research proposals.
• Ability to build effective collaborations across organizational boundaries, including with beamline scientists, engineers, materials researchers, and external partners.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Ability to commit approximately 50–60% effort in a part-time capacity.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE UPIV credential as a condition of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree and 15 or more years of experience, Master’s degree and 12 or more years of experience, or Ph.D. in physics, applied physics, materials science, or a closely related field and 6 or more years of post-Ph.D. experience.
• Experience developing or applying x-ray detectors at synchrotron, accelerator, or other advanced photon science facilities.
• Experience with detector microfabrication, including metallization, lithography, surface treatment, passivation, substrate preparation, or packaging and integration methods.
• Experience with low-noise detector readout, fast electronics, current-mode or pulse-mode measurements, and detector system integration.
• Experience deploying custom instrumentation at beamlines and engaging closely with scientific users.
• Experience identifying and pursuing novel detector directions beyond diamond, including other semiconductor or advanced materials platforms relevant to future x-ray detection needs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence detector program directions through technical vision, sponsor engagement, and leadership in capability development.

Responsibilities

• Lead selected research and development efforts in advanced x-ray detector science, primarily next-generation diamond-based x-ray detectors.
• Define and conduct R&D on thin diamond x-ray detectors, electrode and contact architectures, and charge-collection optimization to extend diamond detection to lower x-ray energies while maintaining speed, radiation tolerance, and stability.
• Develop and evaluate detector concepts for challenging x-ray measurements, including high-flux, high-speed, high-dynamic-range, and harsh-environment applications.
• Work with NSLS-II beamlines and technical staff to identify science-driven detector needs and translate them into instrumentation capabilities.
• Lead or significantly contribute to the design, testing, characterization, and deployment of advanced detector hardware and experimental methods.
• Build collaborations across detector development, materials, microfabrication, electronics, beamline instrumentation, and scientific applications within Brookhaven and with external partners.
• Contribute to proposals for externally funded detector R&D programs aligned with DOE and other strategic opportunities.
• Publish original research in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientific conferences and workshops.
• Identify promising future directions in diamond and other novel detector technologies relevant to NSLS-II and the broader Laboratory mission.

What This Job Offers

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