Responsibilities

The Advanced Accelerator Research Department develops and executes experiments in high-gradient particle acceleration, primarily in the areas of beam-driven plasma wakefield and laser-driven dielectric structure-based accelerators. The successful candidate will work with the physicists, postdocs, and graduate students of AARD to develop new means of high-gradient particle acceleration. Specifically: 1) Develop the theory of high-gradient particle acceleration, including the development of: a) new analytic and numeric models of accelerator behavior; b) models of particle motion in these accelerators; c) a picture of how these technologies can be expanded to make a high energy collider; d) establishing the performance limits of the proposed accelerators. 2) Develop experimental apparatus and measurement techniques to test the theories and models, and to probe the limitations of the acceleration techniques. 3) Operate accelerator physics experiments, including, but not limited to: a) Configuring and operating ultrafast laser systems; b) Configuring and operating electron beams; c) Configuring supporting data acquisition hardware and software as needed to efficiently carry out these experiments.

Required Skills

A Ph.D. in physics or electrical engineering and considerable post-doctoral experience working specifically in the area of experimental accelerator physics are required. The successful candidate must have strong analytical and computation skills in applied electromagnetism and strong technical skills in both Gaussian and electron beam optics. Experience configuring, aligning, and operating ultrafast lasers systems is mandatory. Experience designing and executing laser-electron beam or beam-plasma interaction experiments is required. Strong communication and leadership skills are required. Experience working in a National Laboratory environment in strongly preferred. This position has the possibility of converting to a continuing appointment.