What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Beamline Scientist / Beamline Scientist position at UChicago Argonne, LLC?
The Structural Science group (SRS) in the X-ray Science Division (XSD) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS) enables world-class research using high-energy x-rays by developing cutting edge instrumentation and techniques, and pursuing research in the physical, chemical, environmental, and materials sciences.
To accomplish this mission, SRS operates five independent beamlines in the photon energy range between 26 to 120 keV. We are currently seeking a beamline scientist to support the high-energy x-ray beamlines operated by the SRS group. The beamlines are dedicated to in situ and operando diffraction and total scattering experiments for pair distribution function (PDF) analysis in combination with multimodal approaches, such as small angle scattering, Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence, Compton scattering, or Residual Gas Analysis.
Beamline 11-BM is a dedicated high-resolution diffraction instrument utilizing multi-analyzers/detectors system providing world-class sensitivity and resolution. Beamlines 11-ID-B and 11-ID-C are world-leading instruments dedicated to total x-ray scattering and x-ray diffraction under extreme conditions, respectively. Our newest APS-U Enhanced beamline 11-ID-D will enable novel experiments with highest flux, sub-micrometer focused beam, and extreme total scattering including the small angle scattering regime, thus leveraging the strength of the most brilliant high-energy storage ring world-wide.
Beamline 17-BM is a rapid acquisition powder diffraction beamline optimized for in situ data collection, with a focus on long-duration experiments and experiments enhanced by robotics.
The successful candidate will work within a highly motivated and diverse team to support user experiments and develop new techniques, sample environments, and/or novel data acquisition strategies for the beamlines in the SRS group.
Position Requirements
Requires a PhD in physics, chemistry, computer science, materials science or a related discipline and at least 2 years of experience with independent scientific work after PhD
Experience in conducting in situ and operando diffraction experiments
Experience with Python and/or C/C
Knowledge of diffraction theory, crystallography, and approaches to advanced analysis including structural refinement and modeling
Skill in oral and written communication of scientific results and experimental plans
Ability to work well in a team environment
Flexibility and fast adaptation to new situations
Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
Ability to understand, value, and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
To complement our team, we are looking for one or more of the following qualifications:
Instrumentation design including hands on realization
Development of scripts for advanced data acquisition and analysis strategies
Expertise in x-ray optics
Experience with automation and robotics
Experience in beamline controls using EPICS, SPEC or BlueSky
Knowledge in engineering materials science
Knowledge in materials for energy storage and sustainability
This position can be hired at one of two levels; the selected candidate will be placed at the appropriate level (RD2 or RD3) dependent upon the depth and breadth of relevant knowledge and skills. The minimum requirements of the two levels are as follows:
RD2 (Assistant Beamline Scientist): Bachelors and 5 years’ experience, Masters and 3 years’ experience, PhD and 0 years’ experience, or equivalent
RD3 (Beamline Scientist): Bachelors and 8 years’ experience, Masters and 5 years’ experience, PhD and 4 years’ experience, or equivalent
Job Family
Research Development (RD)Job Profile
Physics 2Worker Type
RegularTime Type
Full timeAs an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. In support of this commitment, Argonne encourages minorities, women, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply for employment. Argonne considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.
All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.
