Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a
NCEM High Resolution Scientific Engineering Associate within the Molecular Foundry division. The Molecular Foundry is seeking an experienced electron microscopy professional to support cutting-edge materials research using advanced TEM and STEM techniques. In this highly collaborative role, the successful candidate will work directly with researchers from around the world, providing hands-on instrument training, experimental guidance, sample preparation support, and data analysis expertise. The position also contributes to instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and development of new microscopy capabilities, including automated and high-throughput workflows. It offers a unique opportunity to combine advanced scientific instrumentation expertise with collaborative research at a leading national laboratory user facility.
You will:Hands-on User Support
- Advise, assist and train users on Thermo Fischer and JEOL platform electron microscopes utilizing the following techniques: TEM, STEM, 4D-STEM, ptychography, EDS, EELS, cryo and in-situ techniques.
- Advise, assist and train users on sample preparation techniques.
- Manage a portfolio of user projects as the Assigned Scientist which involves: proposal review, experimental design, instrument training, managing Lab access and on-site visits, and serving as the point-of-contact for user projects.
- Collaborate with scientific users and facility staff to identify opportunities to improve instrument utilization, experimental efficiency, and data acquisition workflows.
Facility Maintenance and Management
- Participate in maintaining and troubleshooting TEMs and other tools in the facility.
- Coordinate vendor service calls for equipment repair, including scheduling, site access, and safety management.
- Contribute to updating and writing standard operating procedures for equipment operation and data analysis workflows.
- Oversee and review all new work for hazards and maintain a safe work environment.
- Help write and maintain safety documents and training related to users and vendors.
- Assure that accessories like TEM holders, sample preparation tools, and computers are available for daily experiments.
- Facilitate the organization and maintenance of lab spaces for efficient and safe operation.
- Coordinate and assist in purchase of lab consumables and equipment repair.
Foundry Division Service and Operations
- Lead or contribute to development projects intended to establish new user capabilities.
- Actively serve on committees in service to LBNL as needed (for example, Safety Committee).
- Cross-train on other Molecular Foundry equipment to support other user instruments as necessary.
- Collaborate with other Molecular Foundry staff to grow capabilities for the user program and to help users build collaborations within the larger community.
We are looking for:- Bachelor's degree or equivalent training in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline, paired with extensive practical work operating electron microscopes within a technical research setting.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work with NCEM users from a wide range of backgrounds and differing levels of technical expertise and experience to provide guidance on experimental procedures, instrument operation, and data interpretation.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience operating transmission electron microscopes (TEM) or scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM), including acquiring and evaluating high-resolution electron microscopy data.
- Hands-on experience acquiring, processing, and interpreting transmission electron microscopy data with at least 1 of the following 3 techniques: energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), TEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), or 4D-STEM.
- Hands-on experience preparing materials science specimens for TEM analysis, including selecting and applying sample preparation methods appropriate to the material and experimental objectives.
- Experience identifying, diagnosing, and resolving technical problems involving transmission electron microscopes, including evaluating possible causes and suggesting appropriate corrective actions.
- Demonstrated respect for a positive safety culture.
Desired skills/knowledge:- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific or technical field, with research experience involving advanced electron microscopy or materials characterization.
- Hands-on experience operating aberration-corrected TEM or STEM instruments for high-resolution or atomic-resolution imaging, including optimizing experimental conditions and interpreting results.
- Experience with 4D-STEM, electron ptychography, electron tomography, or other advanced STEM techniques.
- Experience contributing to multidisciplinary research projects, including mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to students, researchers, or scientific collaborators.
- Demonstrated track record of authorship or co-authorship of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
- Experience independently coordinating or leading scientific or technical projects, including establishing experimental approaches, managing project milestones, interpreting results, and providing subject-matter expertise to collaborators.
- Experience developing, implementing, or operating automated, robotic, or high-throughput workflows for scientific instrumentation, data acquisition, or materials characterization.
- Experience applying computational tools, scientific software, or simulation techniques to process, analyze, interpret, or model electron microscopy data.
Additional information:- Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by December 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
- Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
- Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $116,352 - $135,000, which fits into the full salary of $103,416 - $174,528 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
- Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
- Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at:Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
- Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
