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Beamline Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Beamline Scientist information

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How much do beamline scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for beamline scientist in the United States is $41.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $27.64 and $51.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a beamline scientist?

Beamline Scientists are specialized researchers or engineers who operate and manage beamlines at synchrotron or neutron radiation facilities. They are responsible for maintaining the experimental equipment, assisting visiting researchers, developing new experimental techniques, and ensuring the quality and safety of experiments conducted on the beamline. Their work enables a wide range of scientific studies, including material science, biology, chemistry, and physics, by providing expertise in using high-intensity beams for advanced research. Beamline Scientists often collaborate closely with academic and industrial users to help them obtain the best possible data from their experiments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a beamline scientist?

To thrive as a Beamline Scientist, you need a strong background in physics, materials science, or a related field, often supported by a PhD and experience with synchrotron radiation techniques. Proficiency with scientific instrumentation, data acquisition software, and programming languages like Python or MATLAB is commonly required. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills are essential for collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams and supporting external users. These abilities ensure effective experiment design, reliable data collection, and successful facilitation of cutting-edge scientific research.

What interdisciplinary collaborations is a beamline scientist involved in, and how do they shape daily work?

Beamline Scientists frequently work alongside physicists, chemists, biologists, and engineers to support and facilitate cutting-edge experiments at synchrotron facilities. This interdisciplinary collaboration involves providing technical expertise, assisting users with experimental setup, and troubleshooting equipment. Daily responsibilities often include coordinating with research teams, interpreting experimental results, and ensuring that the beamline operates efficiently and safely. These interactions not only expand scientific knowledge but also enhance the Beamline Scientist’s skills in communication, project management, and technical problem-solving.

What is the difference between Beamline Scientist vs Research Scientist?

AspectBeamline ScientistResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsTypically requires a PhD in physics, chemistry, or related fieldUsually holds a PhD in a scientific discipline
Work EnvironmentWorks at synchrotron or neutron facilities, operating beamlinesWorks in laboratories, universities, or research institutes across various fields
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, national labs, synchrotron facilitiesUniversities, government agencies, private sector
Common Search/ComparisonOften compared for specialized beamline rolesBroader research roles in science and engineering

While both roles require advanced scientific degrees, a Beamline Scientist specializes in operating and maintaining beamline equipment at large-scale facilities, focusing on experimental setup and data collection. In contrast, a Research Scientist conducts broader scientific research across various environments. The roles overlap in credentials and research focus but differ in work setting and specific responsibilities.

How much do beamline scientists make?

Beamline scientists typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Salaries can increase with specialized skills, advanced degrees, and years of experience working in research facilities or laboratories with synchrotron or neutron sources.

How to become a beamline scientist?

To become a beamline scientist, typically a candidate needs a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field, along with experience in synchrotron or neutron beam experiments. Skills in experimental design, data analysis, and familiarity with scientific instrumentation are essential, and positions often require knowledge of programming and data processing tools. Gaining experience through research projects or internships at research facilities can also improve job prospects.
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What states have the most Beamline Scientist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Beamline Scientist jobs include:

Infographic showing various Beamline Scientist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,452 per year, or $41.1 per hour.

TES Beamline Scientist

Brookhaven National Laboratory

Manhattan, NY • On-site

$105 - $151/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago


Job description

## TES Beamline ScientistApplylocations: Upton, NYtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: JR102604From developing next-generation batteries and microelectronics to designing future pharmaceuticals and quantum computers, scientists tackle the world’s greatest challenges by advancing our understanding of materials. However, today's problems are so complex that they require researchers to study materials with highly specialized tools that are not readily available at most institutions. The National Synchrotron Light Source II (NSLS- II) makes such state-of-the-art tools available, together with the expertise to use them, to scientists from all over the world. The current 29+ beamlines at NSLS-II offer the widest spectrum-from infrared to hard X-rays - of synchrotron light that enables characterization using in situ, multimodal, time-resolved diffraction, spectroscopy and microscopy. One of their core missions is to observe materials under conditions far from equilibrium, i.e., as a function of a process parameter like T, P, pH, pressure and flow of reactive gases, electric or magnetic field. One of the strategic research directions that NSLS-II is investing in is making beamlines suited to autonomous experiments as well as high throughput measurements. This plan will enhance the scientific throughput with more fundamental insight into the time evolution of materials processing and kinetics.**Position Description**NSLS-II is seeking an experienced scientist to join the Tender Energy Spectroscopy (TES) beamline team. The successful candidate will work closely with the Lead Beamline Scientist to enhance beamline capabilities, drive scientific productivity, and support a growing user program. TES is a tender-energy X-ray beamline dedicated to X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray fluorescence imaging in the 2-5.5 keV energy range, with planned upgrades extending coverage to 1.7-8.3 keV. The beamline serves a broad and interdisciplinary user community spanning catalysis, energy science, geochemistry, environmental science, and bioscience. The TES beamline operates two complementary endstations. The SMART XAS endstation is a high-throughput, operando platform for bulk XAS measurements. The tender X-ray microscope endstation provides micro-focused capabilities (~5 μm beam size using KB mirrors) for spatially resolved studies and is currently undergoing a major upgrade, with commissioning planned for 2026. The selected candidate will contribute to a wide range of scientific applications, including, but not limited to, complex energy conversion and storage systems such as batteries, fuel cells, and heterogeneous catalysis.**Essential Duties and Responsibilities:*** Support the operation and the user program of the TES beamline by working closely with the Lead Beamline Scientist while exploring the opportunities for high-impact, collaborative research in line with the NSLS II strategic plans.* Improve experimental procedures at the beamline, from sample environment and data collection to data analysis, enabling user-friendly and streamlined measurements and analysis.* Adapt the beamline’s capabilities for autonomous and high throughput experiments.* Participate in internal and external scientific & technical collaborations that leverage the unique potential of the beamline.* Carry out independent research in areas aligned with the scientific mission of the beamline and/or contribute to the development of new experimental capabilities and methodologies.**Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:*** Ph.D. in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related field, plus at least 2 years of postdoctoral or equivalent research experience.* Demonstrated expertise in planning and executing in situ/operando experiments, analysis of EXAFS data, and publishing results using X-ray spectroscopy and/or imaging techniques.* Excellent written and oral communication skills.* Strong publication record demonstrating impactful research in XAS and/or X-ray imaging.* Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment with a diverse group of scientists, engineers, and technical staff.**Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:*** Prior experience in beamline operations and user support for a spectroscopy beamline.* Hands-on experience with in-situ/operando Raman spectroscopy.* Hands-on experience with battery and/or electrocatalyst in-situ/operando spatially resolved X-ray experiments.* Proven experience with first-principles simulations of X-ray spectroscopy, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and/or X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES).* Demonstrated ability to carry out independent research and develop innovative scientific programs in X-ray spectroscopic image.* Demonstrated Python programming skills relevant to data acquisition or data analysis, evidenced through publications or software development. Experience with collaborative Python code development using version control platforms such as GitHub.* Experience working with sample environments involving hazardous materials or extreme conditions.* Working knowledge of EPICS and EPICS-based data acquisition systems.Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $104,700.00 - $151,000.00 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group. **Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at** **BNL | Benefits Program** Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. **Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews**. As a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory requires employees to obtain and maintain a DOE Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) credential in accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) requirements. The credentialing process is completed as part of onboarding and enables access to DOE facilities and information systems. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a UPIV credential. These requirements are established under DOE Order 206.2 Chg. 2, *Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM-* Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM)*)*, and DOE Order 473.1A- Physical Protection Program- Physical Protection Program. **About Us**Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory. **Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer**Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. \*VEVRAA Federal Contractor BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file #J-18808-Ljbffr