Postdoctoral Appointee - Accelerator Physics and Free-Electron Laser Science

The Argonne Accelerator Institute (AAI) at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher for a multi-year appointment to contribute to the conceptual design of a compact, wakefield-driven X-ray free-electron laser (XFEL) for attosecond science.

The selected candidate will play a leading technical role in the design of a next-generation compact XFEL capable of producing agile, tunable, and coherent X-ray pulses. The project explores accelerator and FEL concepts that support flexible control of X-ray pulse timing, duration, intensity, temporal structure, and coherence, including multi-pulse and mode-locked operation. This work aims to establish a blueprint for a future compact light source that could complement the Advanced Photon Source (APS) and enable the study of matter on attosecond timescales.

The successful candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary Argonne team spanning accelerator physics, beam dynamics, wakefield acceleration, free-electron laser science, and FEL user communities. The postdoctoral researcher will lead technical activities in beam-dynamics and FEL modeling, with an emphasis on start-to-end simulations of compact XFEL performance.

Research activities will include:

• Developing and benchmarking numerical models of the FEL interaction and radiation generation using tools such as MITHRA, WarpX, and GENESIS.

• Performing beam-dynamics studies of high-brightness, high-charge electron beams in multi-frequency linac architectures using tools such as ELEGANT, RF-Track, and ImpactX.

• Investigating tailored electron-bunch phase-space distributions for generating tunable two-color and mode-locked X-ray pulse formats.

• Studying two-beam acceleration concepts, including power-extracting and transfer structures (PETS), to support compact high-gradient accelerator designs.

• Carrying out start-to-end simulations that connect injector and linac beam dynamics to FEL performance.

• Exploring AI/ML methods, surrogate models, and automated optimization strategies to accelerate large-scale design studies and parameter scans.

• Contributing to the development of a conceptual design report for a scalable compact XFEL facility, including performance studies, subsystem specifications, and design tradeoffs.

• Engaging with prospective users and collaborators to align source capabilities with scientific needs in ultrafast X-ray science.

• PhD completed within the last 5 years, or expected soon, in accelerator physics or a closely related field. Candidates with PhDs in physics, applied mathematics, computational science, electrical engineering, or related disciplines with strong interest in accelerator and FEL science will also be considered.
• Strong programming skills including: Proficiency in Python, Working knowledge of UNIX or Linux, Demonstrated background in computational modeling, numerical simulation, or scientific software development.

• Experience with accelerator physics, beam dynamics, or free-electron-laser science.

• Experience with machine learning, surrogate modeling, optimization, or AI-enabled scientific computing.

• Experience working with complex numerical algorithms and large parameter scans.

• Experience using high-performance computing clusters for simulation and data analysis.

• Experience with accelerator modeling and simulation tools such as ELEGANT, GENESIS, WarpX, ImpactX, RF-Track, or related codes.

• Interest in compact accelerator concepts, high-gradient acceleration, wakefield acceleration, or advanced light-source design.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.