What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Physicist position at UChicago Argonne, LLC?
The X-ray Science Division (XSD) enables world-class research using x-rays by developing cutting edge x-ray instrumentation and techniques; pursues research in the physical, chemical, environmental, and materials sciences. To accomplish this mission, it fully operates 43 beamlines at the APS, and jointly operates an additional beamline in partnership with Argonne’s Center for Nanoscale materials.
The Dynamics and Structure (DYS) group within the X-ray Science Division specializes in leveraging coherent X-rays to investigate the intricate relationship among structure, kinetics, and dynamics in soft and hard condensed matter. The Coherent Surface Scattering Imaging (CSSI) program, led by the group, focuses on investigating materials at surfaces and interfaces using grazing-incidence X-ray scattering, diffraction, and imaging techniques.
DYS is currently seeking candidates for an early-career staff scientist position centered on the CSSI beamline and program at 9ID. The primary responsibility of this role is to advance grazing-incidence techniques, particularly by developing scientific opportunities that leverage the coherence properties of X-rays to study the structure and dynamics of surfaces, buried interfaces, and thin films. The successful candidate will also support user activities at the beamline and contribute to building a vibrant user community for surface and interface science and techniques.
This position requires daily on-site presence at the Argonne campus in Lemont, Illinois, to support beamline operations and user experiments.
Position Requirements
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
Candidates must have a Ph.D. in physics or a related field, with expertise in grazing-incidence X-ray scattering or diffraction.
Hands-on experience working at beamlines at synchrotron facilities.
Strong skills in data analysis and ability to program in languages such as Python for performing experiments and analyzing data.
Strong communication skills for working in a multidisciplinary team environment.
Ability to synthesize research findings into work products such as articles for publication in scientific journals, technical reports, presentations at professional conferences, etc.
Strong self-motivation and interest in researching relevant topics.
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.
Bachelors and 5 years’ experience, Masters and 3 years’ experience, PhD and 0 years’ experience, or equivalent
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience:
Understanding of coherent scattering, for example coherent X-ray diffractive imaging or ptychography is preferred.
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.
