Come join our team at Jefferson Lab, where great minds matter.
Posting Date: 08/02/2023
Salary Range: $133,200 - $236,000 (SSS)
Work Location Type: Dedicated On-site (100% working on-site)
What your job will be like:
The SRF Operations Department is responsible for the design, production, refurbishment, test and installation of superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities and cryomodules, and all beam line vacuum for CEBAF, LERF and UITF. The department also produces and tests SRF cavities, parts and cryomodules for R&D projects and for other national and international facilities such as the Spallation Neutron Source, Oak Ridge, and the Linac Coherent Light Source-II, Stanford.
The Senior Vacuum Scientist will be part of fulfilling these missions of Jefferson Lab by providing support for the incorporation, functioning, and improvement of all vacuum systems for SRF and accelerator facilities, from atmospheric pressure to ultra-high vacuum (UHV). The Senior Vacuum Scientist will contribute to reliable implementation and operation for CEBAF and other Jefferson Lab initiatives as requested.
In this role you will:
• Develop and operate vacuum systems, including calculation of vacuum gas loads, pressure profiles, pumping speeds, safety features and utility requirements.
• Develop functional requirements, recommend, and evaluate the properties of vacuum system components.
• Develop and implement procedures for assembly and operation of vacuum systems.
• Initiate and integrate high-impact research that is foundational to improved performance, cost, and reliability of vacuum systems and SRF-based systems.
• Research and develop methods for particle free assembly and surface cleaning of ultra-high vacuum systems.
• Research and develop methods to improve vacuum system efficiency and reliability, including radiation hardness.
• Research and develop methods to improve surface deposition, coating, and baking technologies for vacuum systems
• Develop best practices for quality assurance including recording and documentation.
• Develop functional requirements and interface with other groups for the vacuum system controls.
• Train and educate other staff on the proper handling, assembly, and operation of vacuum systems.
• Manage and implement maintenance and spare parts policies for vacuum systems.
• Produce and update functional requirements and technical documentation for vacuum systems.
Qualifications We Require
Education
- PhD in Surface Science, Material Science, or other relevant discipline from an accredited university.
Experience:
- 15 years of hands-on experience with:
- Design, implementation and operation of ultra-high vacuum systems
- Collaborative projects to develop and build specific equipment
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Functional knowledge in disciplines that support vacuum technology, such as material science or surface physics.
• Mathematical methods including calculus and differential equations, to simulate pump-down curves, vacuum pressure profiles, and differential pumping schemes.
• Consistently demonstrates extremely high levels of technical knowledge, ingenuity and creativity.
• Develops and applies advanced technologies, engineering principles, theories and concepts.
• Routinely demonstrates a broad knowledge about the design and operation of systems outside of specialty.
• Widely recognized as a technical expert within the professional community.
• Accomplishments contribute to state-of-the-art field in the area of expertise.
• Able to effectively train people outside his/her work group.
• Able to give effective presentations and represent his/her work group.
• Can write convincing proposals and reports with all necessary backup material for external consumption.
Qualifications We Desire:
Experience and knowledge in some of the following related areas are desired:
• Planning, organizing, coordinating and/or directing of scientific and technical work.
• Ultra-high vacuum systems for radiation and cryogenic environments.
• Application of materials, surface, and thermal treatments for ultra-high vacuum.
• Gas dynamics, kinetic theory, gas sorption and desorption.
• Methods for particle free vacuum connections.
• Use of clean room techniques and procedures.
• Use and technical knowledge of vacuum system components such as vacuum pumps, gauges, valves, seals, leak detectors and residual gas analyzers.
• Methods to select appropriate vacuum equipment and material for specific environments.
• Modelling and analysis tools for thermo-mechanical simulations.
• Calculation of vacuum gas loads, pressure profiles, pumping speeds, and utility requirements.
• Data collection and analysis.
• Disciplines that support vacuum technology, such as material science or surface physics.
• Basic knowledge of SRF cavities, cryostats and accelerators.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.
• Oral and written communication skills.
About Jefferson Lab
Join a community with a common purpose of solving the most challenging scientific and engineering problems of our time. The Jefferson Lab campus is located in southeastern Virginia amidst a vibrant and growing technology community.
A career at Jefferson Lab is more than a job. You will be part of “big science” and work alongside top scientists and engineers from around the world unlocking the secrets of our visible universe. Managed by Jefferson Science Associates, LLC; Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility is entering an exciting period of mission growth and is seeking new team members ready to apply their skills and passion to have an impact. You could call it work, or you could call it a mission. We call it a challenge. We do things that will change the world.
Total Rewards at Jefferson Lab
At Jefferson Lab, we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Care Plans
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid Time-off and Leave Programs (Paid Parental, vacation, holidays, and sick leave)
- 401(k) Plan – 9% Lab Contribution; 100% vested
- Flexible Work Arrangements (Remote & Alternate Work Schedules available)
- Tuition Assistance, Training and Professional Development Programs
- Live near the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay region with access to nearby beaches, mountains, and all major metropolitan centers on the East Coast
Jefferson Science Associates, LLC (JSA) manages and operates the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (Jefferson Lab). JSA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, or veteran status or on any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. As part of the JSA’s equal employment opportunity policy, we also take affirmative action as called for by applicable laws and Executive Orders to ensure that minority group individuals, females, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans, Armed Forces, and qualified disabled persons are introduced into our workforce and considered for promotional opportunities.
JSA is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities (unless doing so will result in an undue hardship). If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to employment @ jlab.org or call (757) 269-7598 to provide the nature of your request. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Employment with JSA is conditional upon DOE approval if at any time during your employment you are participating in a Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Program or Affiliated activity. Generally, such programs/activities include any foreign-state-sponsored attempt to acquire U.S.-funded scientific research through programs run or funded by the government that target scientists, engineers, students, academics, researchers, and entrepreneurs of all nationalities working or educated in the United States. This includes positions or appointments, both domestic and foreign, titled academic, professional, or institutional appointments whether or not remuneration is received and whether full-time, part-time or voluntary.
