X-Ray & EPICS Specialist

Full time or part time: Part time

Number of hours per week: 10h

Shift timing/schedule: Monday 9-5, Tuesday 9-11

The Geballe Lab for Advanced Materials (GLAM) is a transdisciplinary Independent Laboratory within the Office of the Vice Provost & Dean of Research, which spearheads innovative, collaborative, and high-impact research in bio-inspired materials, sustainability, quantum science and engineering, and electronic and magnetic systems. With 30 faculty and :250 students, postdocs, and scientific staff spanning six home departments - primarily Physics, Applied Physics, and Materials Science & Engineering - GLAM's research portfolio is large, complex, and highly-heterogeneous, involving strong relationships with many Stanford academic and administrative units, SLAC, and federal and non-federal sponsors.

Our VPDoR Diversity Journey:

• We create a hub of innovation through the power of diversity of disciplines and people.
• We provide equitable access and opportunity to all members of the community in order to do their best work, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
• We listen to and value all colleagues who bring diverse perspectives to the advancement and development of a respectful community.
• We promote a culture of belonging, equity, and safety.
• We embed these values in excellence of education, research, and operation.
  
  

Position Summary:

The Dresselhaus-Marais group at GLAM asks for an X-ray Engineer & EPICS Controls Specialist (henceforth "X-ray Engineer”) to help set up, operate, and maintain a state-of-the-art EPICS control system for in-lab X-ray sources and goniometers. The X-ray Engineer will collaborate with faculty, students, postdocs, and other research staff to ensure that both hardware and software systems are configured reliably, perform at the highest levels of safety and accuracy, and integrate seamlessly into ongoing experimental workflows. This position also involves designing and implementing software interfaces, troubleshooting control system issues, and optimizing system performance to enable world-class X-ray research.

Core Duties:

• Work with Prof. Dresselhaus-Marais, postdocs, and her students to implement, maintain, and improve EPICS control systems for X-ray sources and goniometers used in advanced materials experiments.
• Design and build hardware interfaces for the EPICS environment, including motion control, detector readouts, and safety interlocks for LDM labs.
• Develop or refine software scripts and applications (e.g., Python, C) to automate experiments, analyze results, and integrate multiple types of instruments into a streamlined control interface for LDM labs.
• Collaborate on installing, testing, and calibrating new hardware components (motors, controllers, detectors) to ensure safe and reliable operation for LDM labs.
• Troubleshoot problems with hardware, software, and network connectivity, and implement preventative maintenance schedules to minimize downtime for LDM labs.
• Train LDM students, postdocs, and lab personnel in the safe and efficient use of EPICS controls and instrumentation, ensuring compliance with EH&S and all relevant University safety guidelines.
• Contribute data, software documentation, and analysis input as needed for papers and publications to support LDM labs.
• Maintain records of system configurations, changes, and maintenance procedures; help generate operational protocols and training documentation for LDM labs.
• Other duties as assigned by Prof. Dresselhaus-Marais or laboratory manager.
  
  

Requirements:

Minimum Requirements:

Education & Experience: Doctoral degree in physics, materials science, applied physics, applied math, or a related discipline. Demonstrated skill at electrical engineering for X-ray optical systems. Minimum BS degree. MUST HAVE DEGREE.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Familiarity with industrial control hardware, including motion controllers, sensors, and detectors.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, C, MATLAB, or related) to interface with hardware, automate processes, and analyze data.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols, operating systems (Linux/Unix), and real-time data acquisition.
• Ability to independently test, analyze, and diagnose technical issues across hardware and software systems, and to propose timely solutions.
• Demonstrated organizational abilities, including maintaining clear documentation with version control and tracking system changes.
  
  

Physical Requirements:

• Intermittently perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sitting, grasp lightly/fine manipulation.
• Occasionally use a telephone.
• Rarely lift/carry/push/pull objects that weigh 11-20 pounds.