Stanford University / SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, LCLS

Position ID:Stanford University / SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory-LCLS-RA [#20784, 4716]
Position Title: Research Associate: Fluid Mixing & X-ray Methods
Position Type:Postdoctoral
Position Location:Menlo Park, California 94025, United States
Subject Areas: Biomolecular Dynamics
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Microfluidics
Appl Deadline: finished (2021/12/13, finished 2022/09/03, listed until 2022/03/01)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

Position Overview:

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Research Associate to become part of an interdisciplinary team that will develop broadly applicable microfluidic mixing systems for the basic study of time-resolved chemical reactions using X-ray spectroscopy and small angle scattering (SAXS).  The work will be part of a larger collaborative effort, with close collaboration with Stanford University and University of Michigan as well as collaborations with several other research institutions. The work will include use of microfluidic chip-based mixers and ballistic droplet mixing techniques for rapid mixing with uniform reactant residence times.  The analysis of reacting systems will include quantifying kinetics and determining the role of structural intermediates and conformational changes during reaction turn-over of enzymatic systems.  Part of the project includes elucidating the reaction kinetics of molecule diagnostic tools based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-Cas enzyme systems and metalloenzymes.

As a Research Associate, you will be a member of the LCLS/SRD department at SLAC. In addition to the above proposed projects, you will have considerable opportunity to pursue your own related research interests. The position is initially a 24-month term with the possibility of renewal.

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, including the world’s first hard x-ray free electron laser (XFEL), the LCLS. SLAC is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory operated by Stanford University and based in Menlo Park, CA.

Note: Research Associates at SLAC are fixed term academic appointments. This is a 2-year fixed term position with the possibility of extension. Assignment duration is contingent upon project needs and funding.

Due to COVID-19-related curtailment of on-site activities, the job duties for this position may be required to be performed from home until full site access is restored.

 

Your specific responsibilities include:

  • Modify droplet dispensing hardware to produce a colliding drop mixer.
  • Characterize mixing for the colliding drop system and diffusive mixing microfluidic devices.
  • Apply for FEL and synchrotron beamtimes, run X-ray experiments and carryout data collection and analysis for the studied chemical reactions.
  • Other duties may also be assigned  

To be successful in this position you will bring:

  • Ph.D.in Chemistry, Physics, or related scientific field with demonstrated experience performing and analyzing complex experiments.
  • Demonstrated experience in the development of scientific equipment.
  • Exceptional communication skills and ability to work well in a research and development team.
  • Strong conceptual and problem-solving skills as well as the ability to identify and recommend solutions. 
  • Excellent organizational skills and the ability to synthesize complex technical and scientific information.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

  • Experience with X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray scattering
  • Experience with fluid modeling software, preferably ANSYS

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, team collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals. 

Physical requirements and working conditions:

  • Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORK STANDARDS:

  • Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
  • 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 . As an organization that receives federal funding, SLAC and Stanford University have a COVID-19 vaccination requirement that will apply to all university employees, including those working remotely in the United States and applicable subcontractors. To learn more about COVID policies and guidelines for Stanford University Staff, please visit https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/working-stanford/covid-19/interim-policies/covid-19-surveillance-testing-policy

Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
https://lcls.slac.stanford.edu/
 
SLAC National Accelerator Lab
2575 Sand Hill Rd
Menlo Park CA 94025