Beamline Scientist for Extreme Condition X-ray Diffraction

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Beamline Scientist for Extreme Condition X-ray Diffraction.

Photon Science Operations partners with ALS users to deliver cutting-edge experiments and develop new techniques and instruments. This position leads the Diffraction at Non-Ambient Conditions Beamline 12.2.2, collaborating with users on state-of-the-art x-ray studies while ensuring reliable operations, safety, and data quality. During the ALS upgrade, you will serve as the scientific lead for 12.2.2 adjustments and upgrades, using the pause in routine operations to plan and execute a clear roadmap for next-generation diffraction capabilities and user training.

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts thousands of academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials research, energy sciences, biosciences, earth and planetary sciences and more.

The ALS is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve 15,000 users annually. Co-located with the Molecular Foundry, NERSC supercomputing center, and Berkeley Lab's materials sciences, chemical sciences, biosciences, earth and environmental sciences, and other divisions, it provides an ideal collaborative environment for innovative scientific discoveries. 

The ALS is a global leader in x-ray science, and aims to maintain its leadership with ALS-U, a major project to upgrade the facility to a fourth-generation light source. This upgrade will position the facility among the brightest x-ray light sources in the world, offering capabilities that no other facility can provide; planning for upgrades to beamline 12.2.2’s optics to take full advantage of  the upgraded source is in progress.

You will:

• Manage daily operations and technical development of Beamline 12.2.2 (diffraction at non-ambient conditions).
• Maintain and upgrade beamline instrumentation, sample environments, and computing infrastructure to support users and evolving research needs. Drive data acquisition and data processing developments.
• Collaborate with and advise/train the ALS users to conduct state-of-the-art x-ray experiments. 
• Serve as scientific lead during the ALS Upgrade, overseeing beamline modifications, and defining the post-ALS-U diffraction roadmap including clear milestones for developments in sample environments, detectors, and optics.
• Ensure compliance with ALS, LBNL and DOE safety requirements. Note that Integrated Safety Management (ISM) is the DOE framework for how we protect ourselves and each other while pursuing the Lab’s mission, by systematically integrating safety into management and work practices at all levels.
• Build collaborations and partnerships with new and existing ALS users and develop a strong professional network. Engage closely with Approved Programs that supply additional support personnel and infrastructure to the beamline, including with NSF SEES, Synchrotron Earth and Environmental Science.
• Contribute to the broader scientific community through expertise, and committee service, peer review.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences and workshops.
• Lead or contribute to scientific R&D projects and funding proposals.
• Supervise or mentor students, postdocs, and colleagues as appropriate.
• Perform all responsibilities with a high level of independence, professional judgment, and initiative.

We are looking for:

• Ph.D. or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline with broad expertise in diffraction.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant post-degree experience.
• Proven experience operating, maintaining, and developing scientific instrumentation, sample environments, and related beamline controls, data processing, computing and data systems.
• Hands-on experience with x-ray diffraction and hard x-ray scattering experiments.
• Proficiency with diffraction data processing software.
• Familiarity with in-situ high-pressure/high-temperature x-ray diffraction using Diamond Anvil Cells (DACs).
• Prior experience working at a synchrotron beamline.
• Strong publication record in diffraction-related research.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
• Demonstrated success advising/training users or early-career staff.
• Excellent scientific communication skills, including publications and presentations.
• Experience leading scientific R&D efforts and contributing to research proposals.
• Proven ability to build and maintain productive internal and external collaborations.

Desired skills:

• Experience using/developing in-situ/in-operando sample environments.
• Experience managing or supervising workflow and team members, or have held team lead roles.

Additional Qualifications for Career Beamline Scientist:

• Recognized leader in the field with a strong record of independent research and staff leadership.
• Recognition through awards, invited talks, or leadership in high-impact collaborations advancing the field.
• Demonstrated achievements that have significantly expanded knowledge or capabilities in the discipline.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept through design, testing, and commissioning.
• Experience supervising and coordinating the work of scientists, engineers, and technicians.
• Demonstrated ability to lead innovative development projects and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Proven track record in strategic planning and organizational decision-making.

Required Application Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Statement of research experience and interests (3 page limit)
• Statement of User Support - Statement addressing future and/or past contributions to the institutional mission & values of the Advanced Light Source as U.S. Department of Energy User Facilities (1 page limit)

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by January 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time, Career-Track 2-year term appointment that may be renewed to a maximum of 5 years and that may be converted to career appointment based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. 
  • A Career position will be considered for those who have relevant experience or for existing Career-Track or Term staff who have already exhausted the number of years eligible to hold a Career-Track role.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $129,924 - $207,900, which fits into the full salary of $129,924 - $311,820 depending upon the candidate’s skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed in person at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.