Postdoctoral Appointee - Storage-Ring-Based X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Oscillator
- Location
- Lemont, IL USA
- Listed
- 6 days ago
About the role
The X-ray Science Division (XSD) Optics group and the Accelerator Systems Division (ASD) Diagnostics group at Argonne National Laboratory are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to contribute to the conceptual development of a storage-ring-based X-ray free-electron laser oscillator (SR-XFELO) at the Advanced Photon Source (APS).
The project will assess the feasibility of implementing a hard X-ray oscillator operating at 9.8 keV within a 5-m-long APS undulator section. The proposed concept incorporates a transverse-gradient undulator, a diamond-crystal X-ray cavity, and associated high-heat-load X-ray optics.
The successful candidate will contribute to the design, simulation, and experimental characterization of key SR-XFELO components and systems, with particular emphasis on X-ray cavity optics, FEL simulations, and integration with a next-generation sub-meV inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer.
Primary activities will include
- Developing and evaluating X-ray cavity concepts and optical components for SR-XFELO operation.
- Performing electron- and X-ray-beam simulations to assess FEL and cavity performance.
- Designing, testing, and characterizing cryogenically cooled diamond-crystal cavity mirrors at the APS beamlines.
- Investigating high-heat-load X-ray optical components and developing methods to improve their thermal and mechanical stability.
- Supporting conceptual integration of the SR-XFELO with a next-generation sub-meV inelastic X-ray scattering spectrometer.
- Contributing to the design of optical, mechanical, and diagnostic systems for component and subsystem testing.
This position, working across XSD-Optics and ASD-Diagnostics offers an opportunity to work at the forefront of future light-source and X-ray-optics development. The appointee will collaborate closely with researchers and engineers across the Advanced Photon Source and other Argonne divisions in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Position Requirements
- Recent Ph.D. (within the last 0-5 years) in physics, photon science, accelerator science, engineering, or a related field.
- Demonstrated hands-on experimental experience in an accelerator, synchrotron-radiation, beamline, or comparable scientific environment.
- Record of peer-reviewed publications appropriate to career stage.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork.
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Familiarity with accelerator and photon science, including free-electron lasers, synchrotron radiation, X-ray optics, X-ray cavity concepts and crystallography.
- Experience with synchrotron beamline instrumentation, optical metrology, cryogenic systems, high-heat-load optics, or related experimental techniques.
- Experience with numerical modeling or simulation relevant to accelerator physics, X-ray optics, thermal analysis, or mechanical stability.
Work Location
This position requires an on-site presence at least four days per week during regular daytime hours, and supports off-hours experiments at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois.
- Job Family
- Postdoctoral
- Job Profile
- Postdoctoral Appointee
- Worker Type
- Long-Term (Fixed Term)
- Time Type
- Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.
Pay and benefits
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.
Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!
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.
Equal opportunity and legal notices
As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.
From Argonne's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on November 4, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.
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This Postdoctoral Appointee - Storage-Ring-Based X-Ray Free-Electron Laser Oscillator position at Argonne is located in Lemont, IL USA. Always check Argonne's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.
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