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Beamline Scientist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Axcelis

Beamline Controls Scientist

Beverly, MA · On-site

$121K - $182K/yr

Beamline Controls Scientist Want to discover just how far your intellectual curiosity can take you? You're in the right place. For more than four decades, Axcelis Technologies has been at the ...

EG-Engineering

Beamline Controls Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA · On-site

$99K - $128K/yr

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU ... Work with beamline groups, operations, other Engineering functions, other DOE labs, and vendors to ...

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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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Beamline Scientist jobs near you
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.

Beamline Engineering Group Leader - SSRL Materials Science Division

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Position Overview:
Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource (SSRL), a SLAC Directorate at Stanford University, is a national scientific user facility providing synchrotron radiation for research in biology, chemistry, engineering, environmental science, material science, medicine, and physics. SSRL operates and maintains the 3-GeV electron storage ring SPEAR3, the associated injector facility, and synchrotron radiation beamlines on SPEAR3.
The Materials Science Division (MSD) seeks an accomplished Beamline Engineering Group Leader to manage and supervise a team of beamline engineers to provide engineering support to the hard X-ray group, including operation, optimization, maintenance and upgrade of existing hard X-ray beamlines as well as instrument development on the endstations. This leadership role combines technical depth, strategic planning, personnel management, and cross-division collaboration to ensure reliable operations and to drive the development of next-generation experimental capabilities.
Your specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:
Leadership & Management
  • Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of beamline engineers supporting multiple hard X-ray beamlines within MSD.
  • Set technical priorities, allocate engineering resources, and ensure timely execution of maintenance, upgrades, and user support activities.
  • Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance team culture aligned with SSRL and SLAC values.
  • Manage training, professional development, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.

Beamline Operations & Reliability
  • Ensure safe, reliable, and high-quality operation of MSD hard X-ray beamlines and endstations, including readiness for user programs.
  • Establish engineering best practices, operational procedures, and documentation standards across the group.
  • Coordinate with beamline system, operations, accelerator, and facilities teams to ensure beamline operations remain compliant with SLAC and DOE requirements.

Technical Strategy & Project Leadership
  • Develop and execute long term engineering plans for beamline upgrades, new instrumentation, and capability expansion based on the MSD scientific priorities.
  • Provide technical leadership for complex projects involving X-ray optics, precision motion systems, detectors, vacuum systems, and in situ/operando instrumentation.
  • Guide conceptual design, engineering reviews, procurement, fabrication, installation, and commissioning of new systems.
  • Identify opportunities for innovation that enhance experimental throughput, stability, automation, and scientific impact.

User Program Support
  • Partner with beamline scientists to ensure beamlines meet evolving scientific needs.
  • Oversee engineering support for user experiments, including troubleshooting, configuration, and optimization of beamline systems.
  • Contribute to beamtime scheduling processes and operational planning.

Cross Division Collaboration
  • Work closely with other divisions at SSRL to align engineering activities with laboratory priorities.
  • Represent the engineering group in division level planning and strategic initiatives.

To be successful in this position, you will bring:
  • Bachelor's degree in engineering, physics, chemistry, materials science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
  • At least 4 years of relevant experience in synchrotron radiation instrumentation, X-ray beamline engineering, or complex scientific facility operations.
  • Demonstrated experience leading technical teams or managing engineering projects of significant scope.
  • Deep technical expertise in several of the following areas:
  • Strong analytical, problem solving, and conceptual design skills.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational abilities.
  • Ability to work effectively with a diverse community of scientists, engineers, technicians, and users in a fast-paced environment.
  • Commitment to safety, documentation quality, and operational excellence.

In addition, preferred qualifications include:
  • Experience managing engineering teams in a scientific user facility environment.
  • Expertise in project management methodologies and tools.
  • Hands on experience assembling complex mechanical systems and handling delicate instrumentation.
  • Familiarity with DOE laboratory operations, safety systems, and project execution frameworks.

SLAC Employee Competencies:
  • Effective Decisions: Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.
  • Self-Development: Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.
  • Dependability: Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.
  • Initiative: Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.
  • Adaptability: Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.
  • Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.
  • Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:
  • Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of his or her job.
  • Given the nature of this position, SLAC will require onsite work full-time.

Work Standards:
  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
  • Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf
  • Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
  • As a national laboratory, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will be determined by job duties and national security or public trust responsibilities associated with the job. All tiers of investigation include a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last 1 to 7 years (depending on the applicable tier of investigation). Illegal drug activities include marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

  • Classification: Staff Engineer 3
  • Grade: L, Job Code: 0133
  • Duration: regular continuing

The expected pay range for this position is $167,740 - $203,787 per annum.
SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. 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, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
At SLAC/Stanford, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package.

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