Mathematics Research Scientist

Berkeley Lab’s Center for Advanced Mathematics for Energy Research Applications (CAMERA) has a new opening for a Mathematics Research Scientist to lead the development of cutting-edge mathematics and algorithms to analyze complex data from X-ray, electron, and neutron experiments. This role involves research and development in combining advances in Fourier analysis, optimization, machine learning, and statistics to solve complex inverse problems for reconstructing 3D structure, heterogeneity, and dynamics from noisy and incomplete experimental data, such as correlation spectroscopy, single-particle imaging, solution scattering, and more. You will work closely with mathematicians, software engineers, physicists, materials scientists, and beamline scientists to implement these new tools on HPC computer architectures and deliver them as user-friendly software to meet DOE experimental facility needs.

What You Will Do:

• Develop new mathematical theory,  algorithms, and code for determining the dynamics of complex systems from high-dimensional correlation tensors measured in X-ray and neutron correlation spectroscopy experiments.

• Establish new algorithmic frameworks that exploit multi-tiered mathematical problem structures to efficiently solve complex 3D reconstruction problems involving nonuniform, noisy, highly incomplete, and multimodal data.

• Create new hybrid inversion approaches that seamlessly combine optimization and machine learning to leverage previously acquired information while exploiting the known physics of the inverse problem.

• Implement the new approaches described above as high-performance computing software.

• Collaborate with scientific users and experimentalists at DOE experimental facilities to apply the developed software to real datasets and meet their scientific needs.

• Publish work in academic journals and present it at conferences and workshops.

• Lead and assist in the preparation of proposals for funding.

• Supervise graduate students and postdocs.

What is Required:

• Typically requires a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Extensive experience with solving inverse problems, data analysis, computational imaging, machine learning, and high-performance computing.

• Experience in leading the development of new math and algorithms for extracting rotational dynamics from correlation spectroscopy and reconstructing 3D structure from X-ray solution scattering and single-particle imaging data. 

• Experience collaborating with domain scientists and experimentalists to analyze real experimental datasets.

• Experience writing code in C++, Python, OpenMP, and MPI (or related HPC languages).

• Demonstrated experience in leading new research projects.

• Demonstrated experience in writing research/funding proposals.

• Strong background in advanced Fourier analysis, statistics, numerical linear algebra, optimization, tensor analysis, machine learning, and generative modeling.

• Established expertise on iterative projection algorithms, nonuniform Fourier inversion, Wigner-D analysis, angular and spatio-temporal correlation theory, rotational Brownian dynamics, and leveraging diffusion models for inverse problems.

• Deep knowledge of the physics of microscopy,  scattering,  and complex physical dynamical systems.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and to contribute to large collaborative projects within a diverse group.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare research results for publication and presentation at seminars and scientific meetings.

• Excellent time management skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience developing and running code on supercomputers.

• Experience analyzing experimental angular-temporal correlation data from both photon counting and time-of-arrival detectors.

• Familiarity with detector response theory. 

Notes:

• This is a full time, 5 year, career-track term appointment that may be converted to career based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs.

• The full salary range of this position is between $92,701 to $222,474 per year and is expected to pay between a targeted range of $123,605 to $173,027 per year depending upon candidates' full skills, knowledge, and abilities, including education, certifications, and years of experience.

• 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 may be performed on-site, hybrid, full-time telework. The primary location for this role is Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Work must be performed within the United States. Starting May 7, 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.