X-ray Microscopy Beamline Scientist

Brookhaven National Laboratory•Ridge, NY

1d•$122,600 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Imaging and Microscopy Program at BNL’s National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) offers world-class capabilities for imaging complex and heterogeneous materials with diverse imaging modalities at multiple length scales. The Imaging and Microscopy Program operates four beamlines (FXI, HXN, SRX, CDI) with strong general user programs and is constructing the SXN beamline. FXI and HXN are nanoscale resolution beamlines offering full-field and scanning imaging capabilities, respectively. SRX is a hard X-ray scanning probe with a sub-micron focus to bridge the spatial resolution gap between nano- and micro-probes. CDI is a coherent diffractive imaging beamline with a high degree of specialization for Bragg CDI, and SXN is a soft x-ray nanoprobe with spectromicroscopy and ptychography imaging. Members of the Imaging and Microscopy Program share common tools and resources and engage in strong inter-beamline collaboration. Position Description The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS-II) is seeking a beamline scientist to join the Imaging and Microscopy Program. The successful candidate will contribute to the advancement of sub-micron x-ray imaging techniques. Stationed at the Submicron Resolution X-ray spectroscopy (SRX) beamline, the candidate will leverage its sub-micron spatial resolution and multimodal capabilities to conduct cutting-edge research. The SRX beamline is a hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe with significant spectroscopy capabilities that delivers a sub-micron focused beam over a wide range of complex samples. The diverse user community studies samples ranging from energy and materials science to biology and Earth and environmental sciences. Using the SRX beamline, researchers hope to better understand their systems using the high-resolution, high-flux fluorescence nanoprobe to mainly collect 2D elemental maps and point spectroscopy. The beamline is not limited to these techniques and more advanced users utilize 2D XANES imaging and 3D X-ray fluorescence tomography. Recently, nano-XRD capability with reciprocal space mapping (by scanning angles or beam energy) has been commissioned and is being offered to general users. The candidate will support users at the SRX beamline, providing an opportunity to actively engage with the user community, identify their needs and collaborate to the needed capabilities into the beamline. A candidate is expected to be well-versed with multimodal scanning-probe imaging techniques and able to develop the SRX beamline, attracting high-impact experiments from the user community. The candidate is expected to extend the current XRD capabilities and establish a strong user program; as well as strengthening in-situ and operando investigations at SRX. The candidate will develop data processing workflows and establish productive imaging techniques and measurement workflows. The candidate will collaborate with beamline staff, engineering group, and controls group to implement these improvements. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a high-impact science program that leverages the unique experiment capabilities of the SRX beamline. Collaboration with members of the Imaging and Microscopy Program to promote the scientific synergy across beamlines is also encouraged.

Requirements

Research experience with a PhD degree in physics, materials science, chemistry, or a relevant field
At least two (2) years of “hands-on” experience with x-ray imaging, x-ray microscopy, or with relevant synchrotron techniques
Demonstrated expertise in experimental data analysis through publications or developed analysis workflow
Excellent publication record in the relevant areas
Ability to interact effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, technical staff, and users

Nice To Haves

Extensive research experience and significant knowledge of x-ray microscopy and relevant instrumentation, including in situ sample environments
Significant experience in x-ray micro-diffraction through publications or developed software
Extensive experience with XANES spectroscopy
Experience with user support at a synchrotron facility
Demonstrated proficiency in scientific programming (preferably Python)

Responsibilities

Perform user support at the SRX beamline, exploring opportunities for high-impact, collaborative research with the users
Lead technical developments for SRX experiment capabilities and lead commissioning of new instruments or methods
Develop and optimize workflows from measurements to analysis, enhancing productivity, reliability, and efficiency for general user research
Interact with the other NSLS-II staff to perform commissioning, maintenance, and upgrading the SRX capabilities
Publish work in peer-reviewed journals and present results at scientific meetings
Explore opportunities for high-impact research using the capabilities within the imaging and microscopy program and the NSLS-II