Postdoc Thin Films Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab's (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Spatially Resolved Soft X-ray Reflectometry Postdoctoral Fellow. The employee will collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of scientists to develop new spatially resolved resonant soft x-ray reflectometry and magnetic reflectometry capabilities at the Advanced Light Source by implementing focusing optics and advanced data analysis methods. The work will include the development, implementation, and testing of experimental instrumentation; performing synchrotron experiments; developing scalable data analysis pipelines and analyzing experimental data; as well as communicating research results through peer-reviewed publications and scientific presentations, with the goal of enabling quantitative microscale characterization of structural and magnetic interfaces in functional materials.

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts thousands of academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials, energy sciences, biosciences, earth and planetary sciences and more.

The ALS is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve 15,000 users annually. Co-located with the Molecular Foundry, NERSC supercomputing center, and Berkeley Lab's materials, chemical sciences, biosciences, and other divisions, it provides an ideal collaborative environment for innovative scientific discoveries.

The ALS is a global leader in soft x-ray science, and aims to maintain its leadership with ALS-U, a major project to upgrade the facility to a fourth-generation light source. This upgrade will position the facility among the brightest soft x-ray light sources in the world, offering capabilities that no other facility can provide. Following the ALS Upgrade, our beamlines will benefit from dramatically increased coherent soft x-ray flux, enabling microscale x-ray reflectometry to reach its full potential while already delivering impactful scientific results today.

You will:

• Develop instrumentation and data analysis for micro-focus soft x-ray reflectometry.
• Perform soft X-ray reflectometry experiments at BLs 4.0.2 and/or 7.0.1.1.
• Perform data analysis in Python or similar by writing codes or using established software.
• Collaborate with colleagues on ML-assisted analysis of large multi-dimensional datasets.
• Collaborate well with other research teams and scientists.
• Publish work in peer-reviewed scientific literature.
• Present work at national and international meetings and at regular group meetings.
• Contribute positively to the active research culture.
• Work in a safe and healthy manner consistent with EH&S guidelines.
• Respect stewardship and strive for inclusivity in interactions with others.

We are looking for:

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or equivalent.
• Sound knowledge and keen interest in x-ray scattering, diffraction, or microscopy.
• Ability to safely perform independent hands-on work in an experimental endstation.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Experience in lab or synchrotron x-ray reflectometry techniques and fitting data to existing models.
• Interest or experience in instrumentation development.
• Experience in condensed matter material systems, in particular in thin films (e.g., magnetic, ferroelectric, etc.).
• Knowledge of x-ray resonant scattering and diffraction methods.
• Experience in software development for experimental control and/or scientific analysis.
• Working knowledge of high vacuum practices.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by September 11, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time 2-year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience. Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• Salary range: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. 
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. The salary range for this position is $99,192 - $110,808. Postdoctoral positions are paid on a step schedule per union contract and salaries will be predetermined based on postdoctoral step rates. Each step represents one full year of completed post-Ph.D. postdoctoral experience.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.