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Synchrotron information

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$42.5K

$86K

$116.5K

How much do synchrotron jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for synchrotron in the United States is $85,959.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $56,000.00 and $116,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a synchrotron?

A synchrotron is a type of particle accelerator that uses powerful magnets and electric fields to accelerate charged particles, such as electrons, to nearly the speed of light. As these particles are accelerated in a circular path, they emit extremely bright light known as synchrotron radiation. This light is then used in a variety of scientific research fields, including physics, materials science, biology, and chemistry, to study the structure and properties of different materials at the molecular and atomic level.

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

To thrive as a Synchrotron Scientist, you need a strong background in physics, materials science, or a related field, often supported by a relevant PhD and research experience. Expertise in synchrotron radiation techniques, data analysis software, and familiarity with advanced instrumentation is essential. Excellent problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help in collaborating with multidisciplinary research teams and conveying complex findings. These abilities are vital for advancing scientific research, optimizing facility operations, and ensuring high-impact results.

What are some typical challenges faced by scientists working at a synchrotron facility, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Scientists at synchrotron facilities often work in highly collaborative, fast-paced environments where experiments are scheduled tightly and downtime is minimal. New hires may face challenges such as adapting to complex instrumentation, managing time efficiently during beamtime, and working with multidisciplinary teams. It's important to develop strong communication and organizational skills, as well as a willingness to learn new experimental techniques quickly. Being proactive in seeking mentorship and training opportunities can help smooth the transition and build confidence in operating specialized equipment.

What is the difference between Synchrotron vs Particle Accelerator Technician?

AspectSynchrotronParticle Accelerator Technician
CredentialsPhysics or engineering degree, certifications in accelerator technologyTechnical diploma or degree, certifications in accelerator systems
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, laboratories, large-scale scientific installationsResearch centers, laboratories, maintenance facilities
Industry UsageScientific research, medical applications, materials scienceMaintenance, operation, and troubleshooting of accelerators

Both roles involve working with particle accelerators, but Synchrotron specialists focus on large-scale synchrotron light sources used in research, while Particle Accelerator Technicians handle the day-to-day operation and maintenance of various accelerator types. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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What job categories do people searching Synchrotron jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Synchrotron jobs are:

Synchrotron jobs near you
Infographic showing various Synchrotron job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 95% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $85,959 per year, or $41.3 per hour.

Postdoctoral Appointee - AI for Synchrotron Imaging

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, IL • On-site

$72K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Position Overview
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to join the Computational Science and Artificial Intelligence Group in the X-ray Science Division of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory to advance learning-enabled imaging methods. This position offers a unique opportunity for candidates with backgrounds in electrical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, or physics to apply their expertise to challenging problems in computational imaging, while collaborating with leading experts in physics, biology, and environmental science.
Research Context
Soil microbial communities play a fundamental role in carbon and nutrient cycling, yet their spatial organization and interactions have remained difficult to study because of the opacity and complexity of soil. The APS at Argonne National Laboratory is a world-leading synchrotron facility recently upgraded to deliver nanometer-to-micron resolution imaging with dramatically increased X-ray flux. This makes it possible to visualize the interplay of soil structure and microbial life at scales bridging nanometers to millimeters, creating a unique opportunity to investigate how microbial communities are organized and interact within their natural environments.
Your Role
This position focuses on developing learning-enabled imaging methods to guide data collection and analyze synchrotron datasets, spanning the full experimental cycle from real-time X-ray measurements to post-experiment reconstruction:
  • Develop learning-enabled algorithms for 3D reconstruction of noisy and heterogeneous synchrotron datasets.
  • Implement adaptive acquisition strategies that guide beamline measurements in real time to increase efficiency and improve image quality.
  • Advance multimodal analysis methods that align and fuse structural, chemical, and biological signals to construct coherent models of microbial organization across scales.

Success in this role will require creativity in computational imaging, machine learning, and signal processing, as well as close collaboration with experts in computational science, electrical engineering, synchrotron physics, soil microbiology, and environmental chemistry. May be required to perform other duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
  • Ph.D. completed in the past 5 years or soon-to-be completed in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
  • Strong expertise in machine learning, computational imaging, computer vision, or signal processing.
  • Proficiency in scientific programming and modern ML frameworks, with the ability to implement and debug research-grade algorithms.
  • Demonstrated ability to work on complex data analysis problems and deliver robust computational solutions.
  • Excellent communication skills and a strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration.
  • Ability to model Argonne's core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.
  • Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the laboratory.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
  • Experience with synchrotron or tomographic imaging datasets.
  • Background in inverse problems or physics-informed machine learning.
  • Exposure to scientific imaging applications (for example, biological, environmental, or materials science).

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.
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!
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.
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.

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