Position overview

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is an internationally preeminent science facility, operated by Stanford University at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory on behalf of the Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Science. This facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community, covering a very broad research portfolio that includes the investigation of advanced materials and chemical catalysts for clean energy systems, drug discovery for modern pharmaceuticals, and fundamental studies of extreme states of matter.

This is a pivotal time for LCLS, and a rare opportunity to shape the scientific nature and direction of the facility. We have entered the LCLS-II era, a new accelerator complex that will increase the X-ray repetition rate and average power of the facility by up to 4 orders of magnitude. A subsequent upgrade to enable the delivery of high energy X-rays (LCLS-II-HE) is also underway, opening the study of rare, transient, and heterogeneous systems with atomic spatial resolution and femtosecond precision.

The Science Research and Development (SRD) division at LCLS comprises six departments, each aligned to a major research area (Bioscience, Material Science, Chemical Science, Atomic, Molecular and Optical (AMO) Science, Laser Science, and Matter in Extreme Conditions), to enable an integrated approach to scientific exploitation of LCLS. This posting is for the MEC Department Head; the opening comes at an important time for the field. MEC combines the unique hard X-ray capabilities of LCLS with high-energy laser drivers to create and probe matter at extreme temperatures and pressures. This enables research across a broad scientific landscape including high energy-density science, laboratory astrophysics, plasma physics, shock-driven material science, and fundamental studies of warm dense matter. MEC is operated with funding from both the DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences and the Office of Fusion Energy Sciences (FES), reflecting its position at the intersection of fundamental high energy-density science and applied fusion energy research.

The field of high energy-density science is experiencing rapid growth, driven in particular by the national imperative toward inertial fusion energy (IFE). With fusion ignition demonstrated and significant momentum building across the public and private sectors, there is an urgent need for precision measurements of plasmas and material properties and components at fusion-relevant conditions. LCLS, coupled with next-generation high-power laser drivers, offers a unique national platform for this science; it can provide high-fidelity validation of target physics, laser-matter coupling, and materials behavior that is not available elsewhere. The MEC Department Head will play a central role in defining SLAC's engagement with the IFE community and the broader DOE Fusion Energy Roadmap, while continuing to advance the full breadth of MEC's high energy-density science mission. MEC is a vital element of SLAC's broader High Energy Density Science and Technology (HED S&T) initiative, and the Department Head will contribute to this laboratory-wide effort by ensuring that MEC's scientific strategy and capabilities are aligned with its goals.

The MEC Department Head will develop an LCLS vision and strategy for high energy-density science at MEC, informed by deep engagement with the research community spanning national laboratories, academia, and the private fusion energy sector. This strategy will be executed through collaboration with the user community, coupled to new developments in LCLS-II-HE hardware, high-power laser technologies, target delivery systems, advanced diagnostics, and data science methods.

The MEC Department Head will lead a team of staff scientists within the department provide broader leadership to other staff, students, and postdocs across SLAC, Stanford, and the wider community whose research is aligned with LCLS, or where there is the potential for engagement in the future. A key priority is working closely with the MEC Instrument Lead to ensure a high-impact general user science program at the MEC instrument. The role includes supporting the career development of members of the department, outreach to the scientific community, lowering the barrier to new users, and partnering with the operations division to facilitate successful experiments that ensure the most impactful use is made of the facility.

The position reports to the SRD Division Director.

Note: This is a regular-continuing position at the Lead Scientist level. Appointment at this level requires evaluation of the candidate's scientific achievements by a review committee. Applicants should include a cover letter, a statement of research including brief summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications, and names of three references for future letters of recommendation with the application.

Specific responsibilities include:

Scientific Goals:

• Advocate for and represent the MEC science area inside and outside of LCLS and SLAC.
• Work with the wider LCLS team and user community to identify prioritized research directions for high energy-density science at LCLS that will deliver internationally leading results at a scale commensurate with the level of investment and ambition of our laboratory and sponsors. This includes the identification of major facility developments, community-wide experimental campaigns, and the use of in-house beam time and research activities.
• Engage the LCLS user community and the broader high energy-density science and fusion energy communities, including our staff, the local SLAC/Stanford research teams, and relevant funding agencies, to solicit advice and active engagement in LCLS scientific objectives, operations, and development.
• Reach out to the wider research community, including the growing private inertial fusion energy sector, to inform and expand the user base for LCLS to ensure long-term alignment to the most compelling scientific objectives.
• Serve as the principal investigator or co-principal investigator for DOE Fusion Energy Sciences-funded research activities at MEC, maintaining productive relationships with FES program managers and ensuring alignment between MEC capabilities and FES programmatic priorities.
• Generate and develop advanced scientific or technical capabilities in a broad field of knowledge for several applications, demonstrating a full grasp of related disciplines.
• Lead focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations with creativity and innovation.

Facility Operations:

• Support and optimize the scientific role of LCLS in the design, planning, safe execution, analysis, and publication of users' experiments.
• Work with the MEC Instrument Lead to ensure that the scientific priorities of the department are reflected in experiment planning and execution, and that instrument scientists are effectively engaged in delivering the experimental program.
• Coordinate with SRD and Operations management for experiment and project planning, including allocation of experiment staff, to maintain scientific excellence while optimizing experimental efficiency.
• Arbitrate any proposed changes to the scope of planned or ongoing experiments to optimize scientific impact consistent with operational constraints and the decisions of our peer-review process.

Facility Development:

• Work with the MEC Instrument Lead to advance the MEC instrument development plan. This comprehensive roadmap spans high-power laser systems, X-ray diagnostics and detectors, target delivery technologies, and data analysis capabilities; the MEC Department Head ensures its alignment with the scientific strategy and evolving needs of the user community.
• Work with SRD leadership and LCLS/SLAC management to plan, deliver, commission, and exploit facility developments, and establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of optimized deployment, ongoing effectiveness, and future improvement.
• Drive operational robustness and efficiency of the MEC instrument to maximize scientific productivity and return on investment.
• Define the MEC upgrade path in the context of the LCLS-II-HE era, including next-generation high-energy, high-repetition-rate laser drivers and associated diagnostic and target delivery infrastructure, aligned with the DOE Fusion Energy Roadmap and broader national programs. Coordinate with SLAC's HED S&T initiative to ensure MEC developments are integrated with the laboratory's overall strategy for fusion science and technology.
• Engage the scientific community to build consensus on priorities and technical requirements for future MEC capabilities, including through workshops, user meetings, and sustained partnerships with national laboratories, universities, and the private sector.

Staff Development:

• Work with other Department Heads and the SRD Division Director to drive the continual development of in-house scientific excellence, innovation, and adventure in our scientific and technical staff.
• Ensure the MEC Department has the appropriate staff, skills, knowledge, and abilities to deliver its mission both now and in the future, consistent with financial and operational constraints.
• Report to and work with the SRD Division Director to appoint group leaders within the Department where appropriate.
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within and between departments, across LCLS/SLAC divisions, and with external partners to maximize scientific impact.
• Develop and promote the diverse career trajectories of all SRD staff, ensuring opportunities for professional growth.
• Support all aspects of hiring, performance management, and staff development.
• Manage research funding for the Department.
• Foster a highly collaborative, positive and respectful culture in all aspects of our work.
• Other duties as assigned by LCLS/SLAC management.

To be successful in this position you will bring:

Ph.D. in Physics, Plasma Physics, or a related relevant area of science and a minimum of 8 years of experience including:

• Experience leading and managing scientific projects and technical groups.
• Proven record of research achievements in high energy-density science, laser-matter interactions, or a closely related field, as demonstrated through publications, conference presentations, or equivalent contributions.
• Demonstrated body of research, development, or applied work that is internationally acknowledged to have defined major advancements in research.
• Experience in mentoring junior staff, PhD students, postdocs, and peers, with a strong focus on career development.
• Demonstrated excellence in communicating research progress to both internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective teams and to actively mentor staff.
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population.
• Interpersonal skills that can secure the trust of a broad research community and manage any conflicts in a manner that reinforces SLAC's values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, respect, and creativity.
• Proven ability to adapt and lead effectively in dynamic and evolving organizational contexts.
• Commitment to safety (physical and psychological) as an overarching priority.

SLAC Manager Competencies:

• Team Effectiveness: Effectively motivates team members and fosters a diverse and collaborative team environment; leverages team members' strengths for overall team effectiveness; incorporates insights to improve team operations.
• Purpose & Vision: Articulates a clear vision of expected outcomes; inspires others to execute work plans and feel a sense of purpose and ownership for the mission.
• Builds Trust: Earns trust and credibility from team members, peers and stakeholders; demonstrates SLAC values of respect and integrity.
• Relationships: Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve team, department/directorate and lab goals.
• Communication: Ensures effective information flow to various audiences; delivers clear and appropriate written and verbal communications; makes clear and impactful presentations to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Navigates Complexity: Manages a multitude of information and complex circumstances to discern what is most important; demonstrates effective problem-solving, decision-making, and takes appropriate action, even in difficult situations or with conflicting data.
• Results through Others: Achieves expected results by effectively delegating and managing the work of others.
• Aligns Priorities: Ensures planning and prioritization of resources and work efforts; ensures alignment of direct and matrix reports to support organizational goals and business plans.
• Applies Lab Acumen: Maintains understanding of lab efforts and direction as well as current research and trends, considers technology and customer impacts, and contributes relevant, informed ideas to lab growth.
• Self-Awareness: Seeks feedback from others and takes ownership of, and actions to address what is learned; recognizes impact on others and adjusts as needed; pursues continuous learning opportunities; implements a meaningful development plan.

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 his or her 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