Associate Scientist - Biological Sciences

Job ID

5942

Location

SLAC - Menlo Park, CA

Full-Time

Temporary

SLAC Job Postings

Structural Biology and dynamics, biophysics experimental development

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) is one of the world’s premier research laboratories, providing an internationally leading capability in the form of its accelerator based light sources and its science programs. The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), a directorate of SLAC and the world’s first hard x-ray free electron laser, seeks an Associate Staff Scientist with a background in structural biology or structural dynamics to join the LCLS Biological Sciences Department. Members of the Biological Sciences Department are responsible for developing new instrumentation and methods for experiments at LCLS investigating structure, function, and structural dynamics as well as performing innovative ultrafast experiments using x-ray and electron beams from LCLS, including aspects of sample environment and delivery to the probes.

The position will be part of the Macromolecular Femtosecond Crystallography (MFX) instrument team and you will primarily support the development and integration of methods for structural dynamics in biology, with a specific focus on time-resolved work. The work will include supporting the LCLS User Experiment Program, primarily at the MFX instrument, as part of the LCLS Science program. You will work on beamline improvement projects and general developments for the facility. You are expected to develop a successful self-led scientific research project/portfolio within LCLS that leverages the facilities’ capabilities. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with researchers at SLAC and Stanford University. The successful candidate should be curious, motivated, and self-driven.

Note : This position is posted at the Associate Staff Scientist level. The Associate Scientist position is a 3-to-5-year fixed term position and the entry level in the Staff Scientist career path. The Associate Scientist position is scheduled to be assessed after the 3 to 5-year period with the possibility of appointment to the Staff Scientist level.

Applicants should include a cover letter, a statement of research including a summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of five references for future letters of recommendation with the application. Review of applications will begin immediately. Later applications may be considered at the discretion of the search committee.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

• A Ph.D. in physics, engineering, biochemistry, biology, or related field.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience in structural biology research at x-ray sources.

• Demonstrated experience as evidenced by a publication record commensurate with level of work experience.

• Ability to carry out independent research.

• Strong analytical and experimental skills.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population.

In addition, preferred qualifications and experience include:

• Experience building, commissioning, and testing scientific hardware and instrumentation.

• Experience with sample delivery for x-ray experiments.

• Experience with X-ray serial data collection.

• Experience with macromolecular crystallography.

• Script and program writing using Python.

• User facility operations and research.

• Experience with x-ray scattering techniques.

• Familiarity with crystallographic data processing

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.

Work Standards:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations and foster a psychologically safe environment.

• 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 1—General 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.

• Classification Title: Associate Scientist

• Job Code: 1092, Grade: K

• Employment Duration: 3-year fixed term

The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 to $173,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. 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.

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.