Position Description
Brookhaven National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated and innovative Beamline Scientist to join the ISS beamline at NSLS-II. The ISS beamline combines a powerful damping wiggler source with state-of-the-art optics and control systems to deliver high-flux, high-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Its design effectively manages extreme heat loads while maintaining precise beam positioning and operational stability, enabling cutting-edge, high-throughput operando experiments with rapid data acquisition and high-resolution measurements. The beamline is equipped with two independently operated X-ray emission spectrometers and supports both high-throughput measurements and high-resolution X-ray absorption spectroscopy using 1 m and 0.5 m Rowland-circle geometries.
This position offers a unique opportunity to work at a world-class synchrotron facility, contributing to advanced instrumentation while engaging with a diverse international user community spanning catalysis, environmental science, quantum materials, and life sciences.
The successful candidate will play a critical role in advancing the scientific and technical capabilities of the ISS beamline, with particular emphasis on the development and upgrade of high-resolution spectrometers, implementation of high-throughput experimental workflows, and expansion of data acquisition and analysis tools using modern Python-based frameworks.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide user support for the ISS beamline.
• Perform beamline operation, maintenance, upgrade, commissioning and troubleshooting.
• Develop new technique/method advancing ISS capabilities.
• Work closely with beamline scientists, engineers, and technical staff to ensure reliable, safe, and efficient operation.
• Engage with a broad user community, enabling high-impact science and fostering new collaborations, taking advantage of ISS unique capabilities.
• Establish and maintain independent research program aligned with the strategic directions for the ISS beamline and the NSLS-II Spectroscopy Program.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field and minimum 2 years post-PhD related experience.
• Minimum of 4 years of relevant experience at a synchrotron or large-scale user facility.
• Demonstrated expertise in XAS and high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy.
• Strong programming skills in Python, with experience in scientific data acquisition, analysis, or automation.
• Working knowledge of beamline control, instrumentation, and data acquisition systems.
• Strong publication record demonstrating impactful research in XAS and/or X-ray emission spectroscopy along with growing international recognition.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a closely related field and minimum 4 years related post-PhD experience.
• Expertise in X-ray Emission Spectroscopy and Resonant Inelastic X-ray Scattering.
• Proven experience in instrumentation development, particularly in X-ray optics or spectrometer design and implementation.
• Experience with in-situ/operando experiments and high-throughput or time-resolved data acquisition approaches.
• Experience with beamline control and data acquisition systems, e.g. EPICS.
• Background in scientific software development, including user-facing tools or data pipelines.
• Experience supervising students, postdocs, or leading collaborative research efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative, manage projects, and deliver results.
Other Information:
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. This is a multi-level role and the full salary range for this position is $104,700.00 - $163,000.00 / year. You will be placed at the level and salary commensurate with your experience. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
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About Us
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
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