Research Associate - Experimental X-ray Spectroscopy

Position Overview

The Chemistry and Catalysis Division at the Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, invites applications for a Research Associate position focused on laser and electric field-driven transformations of functional materials. This position combines advanced material design, synthesis and characterization methods, instrumentation development, time-resolved hard X‑ray spectroscopy and scattering studies and integration of these developments into the SSRL User Program.

The successful candidate will develop and apply experimental techniques to collect, analyze and interpret laser‑ and electric field-driven time-resolved X‑ray spectroscopy and scattering data of functional materials and device architectures relevant for next-generation microelectronics applications. A key aspect of this role will be the implementation and application of electrical pump X‑ray probe methodologies to explore field-driven switching pathways with combined sensitivity to changes in atomic structure and electrical transport underlying device functionality.

The position will provide access to state-of-the-art experimental and computational resources at SLAC and offer a unique opportunity to contribute to materials science and microelectronics efforts while exploring collaboration and synergies among time-resolved science facilities within the lab (SSRL, MeV‑UED, LCLS‑II‑HE).

The Research Associate role is a fixed term staff position. This is a 2‑year fixed term position with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding.

Research Associates are engaged with the design, support, operation and/or scientific exploitation of the major programs of the laboratory, under the guidance of their faculty or Senior Scientific Staff / Distinguished Staff Scientist supervisor. They are expected to work with a high degree of independence on one or more specific tasks in support of the research program, frequently interacting with the laboratory’s scientific community.

• Devising and developing technologically relevant materials and device architectures for time-resolved X‑ray spectroscopy and scattering studies of electric field-driven switching mechanisms occurring on the pico- to nanosecond timescales.
• Integrating electrical pump capabilities into existing high‑repetition rate optical pump X‑ray probe instrumentation and adopting data acquisition schemes to study electric‑field driven material transformations with combined atomic structure and electrical transport sensitivity.
• Conducting time‑resolved studies including laser‑/electrical pump hard X‑ray spectroscopy & scattering probe measurements, data analysis and interpretation.
• Develop feedback loops to accelerate materials discovery.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present results at major scientific meetings.
• Collaborate within the ultrafast x‑ray science, materials science and microelectronics communities at SLAC to build sustainable research efforts on electric field-driven material transformations.

• Ph.D. in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering or a related field.
• Strong expertise in design, synthesis, characterization and evaluation of functional materials and heterostructures for next-generation technologies.
• Experience in synchrotron-based advanced hard X‑ray spectroscopy (XANES, EXAFS, HERFD, XES, RIXS) and scattering approaches for materials characterization.
• Working knowledge of high‑repetition rate synchrotron-based picosecond time‑resolved X‑ray techniques, including pump‑probe synchronization and data acquisition strategies.
• Publication record in advanced materials characterization.

• Experience with high-power, high-repetition rate laser systems, wavelength conversion, and optical alignment procedures.
• Knowledge of materials relevant for optical and electrical switching applications, including for instance correlated oxides, ferroelectric, magnetic, spin‑crossover, or low‑dimensional materials.
• Ability…