California
Fullerton, California
Los Angeles, California
Stanford, California
San Diego, California
Remote,
Posted: 25-Nov-25
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: R140556
The ARPES Research Scientist will contribute to the operation and maintenance of the NeXUS facility, leading the use, maintenance, and advancement of the Angle-Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES) end station and beamline. NSF NeXUS is a state-of-the-art user facility dedicated to studying electron dynamics using ultrafast optical pulses (infrared to XUV/soft x-rays) and a variety of measurement instrumentation. The NeXUS system includes three beamlines, with tailored ultrafast light in each, and four end stations, each supporting a distinct analysis approach. NeXUS is sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and hosted at The Ohio State University.
The major subsystems of the NeXUS system are:
- A commercial electron spectrometer for angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) and photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) (ARPES end station)
- A commercial scanning tunneling microscope (STM) end station
- An x-ray absorption/x-ray reflection spectrometer end station
- A double time-of-flight mass spectrometer that supports time-resolved ionization measurements (laser induced electron diffraction, RABBITT) end station
- Three beamlines coupling multiple light sources to the end stations
- Customized laser systems to deliver infrared to ultraviolet ultrafast pulses at high repetition rates (up to 10 MHz) and high average power (up to 1 kW).
The ARPES Research Scientist will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and advancement of the ARPES end station. The ARPES end station is a state-of-the-art commercial electron spectrometer purchased within the last five years. It has been customized to suit the needs of time resolved optical experiments. The ARPES Research Scientist will be trained, as needed, on the operation of the NeXUS ARPES instrument, and strong candidates will already have expert knowledge of the underlying physical principles of photoelectron/photoemission analysis of solids.
The ARPES Research Scientist will be responsible for the operation and advancement of the ARPES beamline. The ARPES beamline is a custom-designed beamline to support ultrashort XUV pulses with energy resolution matched to the ARPES end station and pump-probe measurements. The ARPES Research Scientist will be trained, as needed, on the operation of this beamline, and strong candidates will already have expert knowledge of the underlying physical principles of time resolved ARPES measurements.
The ARPES Research Scientist will support NeXUS users in planning and conducting experiments using the ARPES end station. The Research Scientist will collaborate with these users and with other NeXUS staff to ensure experiments are conducted safely and effectively in limited time periods during a user visit. During a user visit, the Research Scientist will support the users directly, including a flexible operating schedule (for example, early scheduled start, late scheduled finish, or on call support).
The ARPES Research Scientist will maintain expert knowledge and skills that are on the forefront of photoelectron analysis and time resolved ARPES science. The Research Scientist will propose experiments, hardware development, software development, and tests that advance these fields and benefit capabilities at NeXUS. The research scientist will have the opportunity to present at relevant conferences, publish in relevant journals, and apply for research funding, either as part of collaborations or independently.
The ARPES Research Scientist will work with the NeXUS staff to establish effective and efficient processes to operate and maintain NeXUS equipment, focused on the ARPES end station and beamline. The Research Scientist will support preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of the NeXUS systems. The Research Scientist will cross-train with NeXUS staff to support the operation and maintenance of additional NeXUS subsystems. They will develop effective professional relationships with Ohio State staff and external vendors who support NeXUS.
The ARPES Research Scientist will conduct scientific or engineering research by proposing, executing, presenting, or publishing experiments and/or equipment/technique development. This research may or may not connect to their role in the NeXUS facility. This research is encouraged to be collaborative with other researchers at Ohio State. The Research Scientist will have the status of a Principal Investigator (PI) so they can propose and execute sponsored research as a PI or co-PI.
An individual will possess the following essential skills and competencies to be successful in this role:
- Proven research, development, and design capabilities with photoelectron analysis equipment, experiments, techniques, and theory.
- Demonstrated capabilities in the assembly, maintenance, and verification of laboratory systems that combine optical and vacuum technologies.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate with and coordinate the activity of a small team of technical experts to achieve a collaborative goal.
- Interest in continuous learning and skill development to support and develop new experiments and experimental capabilities applying the ARPES end station and beamline.
- Demonstrated ability to support parallel tasks, balancing near term and long-term priorities.
- Promotes, supports, and fosters a culture of engagement, collaboration, and learning.
- Works safely and promotes a culture of safety.
Required Qualifications
- Ph.D. in experimental physics, materials science/engineering, chemistry, or optical engineering.
- Three years of demonstrated experience in either (1) operation and maintenance of a photoelectron analysis system comparable to the NeXUS ARPES end station or (2) design or assembly of custom equipment employing optical and high vacuum technologies for materials analysis. This can include work towards a Ph.D.
- Strong evidence of scholarship and independent scientific achievement in their field of expertise, such as a track record of peer-reviewed publications.
Desired Qualifications
- One year of relevant experimental research experience beyond the Ph.D. degree period.
- Demonstrated experience in ARPES or PEEM analysis.
- Demonstrated experience in time resolved, optical measurements for analysis of solids.
- Demonstrated experience in maintenance of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems.
- Demonstrated experience in operation and maintenance of an additional NeXUS subsystem (listed above) other than the ARPES end station.
- Evidence of the ability to propose and lead research or equipment development projects.
- Demonstrated experience mentoring or managing technical staff (students, postdoctoral researchers, technicians, or other scientists).
Applicants are required to submit both a resume and a cover letter.
The title of Research Scientist and/or Principal Investigator is dependent on Office of Research approval.
The salary range for this position starts at $90,000.00, is commensurate with education and experience, while being balanced with internal equity and the unit's available budget.