Staff Scientist - Bioscience Department HeadJob ID6211LocationSLAC - Menlo Park, CAFull-TimeRegularSLAC Job PostingsPosition overviewThe 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, 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 is comprised of six departments, each aligned to a major research area Bioscience, Material Science, Chemical Science, AMO Science, Laser Science, and Matter in Extreme Conditions (MEC) to enable an integrated approach to scientific exploitation of LCLS. This posting is for the Bioscience Department Head and the opening comes at an important time for bioscience at the LCLS facility. Structural Biology has entered an incredible era, with powerful experimental tools such as cryo-EM and x-ray crystallography and emerging computational tools such as AlphaFold and their derivatives and upgrades. LCLS can uniquely contribute to structural biology through unprecedented temporal resolution and data rates, along with an ability to probe physiologically relevant states and radiation-sensitive samples, and a multitude of techniques that take advantage of the coherence and high peak and average brightness of the X-ray beam. Together, these provide uniquely high-resolution probes of the structural and chemical dynamics of biological systems.The successful candidate will develop an LCLS vision and strategy for studying structural dynamics in Biology at varying spatial and temporal scales, informed by engagement with the bioscience community. The successful candidate will ensure the execution of the strategy through collaboration and engagement with the user community, coupled to new developments in technologies such as LCLS-II-HE hardware: biosample preparation, characterization and delivery techniques; and new data science methods.The successful candidate will lead a team of staff scientists within their department, and 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. The Department Head will support the career development of members of the Bioscience Department. A key aspect of the role will be outreach to the scientific community, and to lower the barrier to new users, to ensure the most impactful use is made of the facility.Note : The Staff Scientist level is a regular-continuing position and requires a review and evaluation of documented scientific achievements. 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 bioscience area inside and outside of LCLS and SLAC.
Working with the wider LCLS team and user community, identify prioritized research directions for bioscience 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 bioscience community, 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 to inform and expand the user base for LCLS to ensure long-term alignment to the most compelling scientific objectives.
Set goals, plans, direct and execute established and new research projects.
Manage areas of research and/or development objectives within a project, program, or facility operations
Facility Operations:
Support and optimize the scientific role of LCLS in the design, planning, safe execution, analysis and publication of users¿ experiments.
Coordinate with SRD and OPS 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 SRD leadership, and LCLS/SLAC management to plan, deliver, commission and exploit facility developments (including theory/modeling/data analysis, and all relevant aspects of supporting technology - with a particular focus on sample delivery techniques that can scale to the pulse rates of LCLS-II-HE), and establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of optimized deployment, ongoing effectiveness and future improvement to meet the evolving LCLS needs.
Staff Development:
Work with other Department Heads and the SRD Director to drive the continual development of in-house scientific excellence, innovation and adventure in our scientific and technical staff.
Ensure the Bioscience 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 leader 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 equitable 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, respectful and inclusive 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 Bioscience, Physics, Accelerator Physics, or related relevant area of science and a minimum of 4 years of experience including:
Experience leading and managing scientific projects and technical groups.
Proven record of research achievements in x-ray science, 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.
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 our strong commitment to a respectful, inclusive and diverse workplace.
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
Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu
Classification Title : Staff Scientist (Level 3)
Grade : L, Job Code: 1093
Duration : Regular Continuing
The expected pay range for this position is $148,000 - $213,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. 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, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.
