Research Scientist, Laser-Plasma Accelerators and X-ray Sources

The Center for High Energy Density Science in the Department of Physics at The University of Texas at Austin seeks an experimental physicist to lead its programme on laser wakefield electron accelerators, laser-driven x-ray and muon sources and the physics they enable. The research scientist will lead experiments on betatron, inverse-Compton and other laser-driven x-ray sources on UT3, the Texas Petawatt and external facilities such as BELLA, ELI Beamlines and ELI-NP; build UT's laser-based x-ray capability for semiconductor metrology (3D micro-CT of packaged chips, x-ray diffraction, phase-contrast imaging) and medical applications; support laser-driven very-high-energy electron beams for radiotherapy (LaVHEE); lead the x-ray beamline portion of TeX-Ray, a planned Texas laser synchrotron facility; and co-lead UT's part of the LSU-led LaNeXT NSF Mid-scale project.

The role is highly independent, with proposal leadership and supervision of postdocs, students and technical staff. Salary from $100,000 depending on qualifications.

PhD in physics, applied physics or a related field with at least six years of post-PhD and eight years of total research experience in experimental laser-plasma physics or accelerator science; a record of leading laser wakefield and laser-driven x-ray experiments; x-ray imaging or scattering experience; work with >=50 TW Ti:sapphire lasers at external facilities; record of securing funding and supervising researchers. Application: CV with publications, research statement and three references (two from outside UT Austin).