Argonne National Laboratory logo

Assistant Physicist – Laue Microdiffraction

Argonne National Laboratory

Lemont, ILFull-time$94–147K/yrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed today

Most applications go out cold — see where you stand first. No sign-up to start.

Watch jobs like this.

Don't just apply. Show up ready.

Olive works from this exact posting.

At a glance

Compensation
$94–147K/yr
Location
Lemont, IL
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Doctorate

Job overview

Argonne National Laboratory seeks an Assistant Physicist in the Surface Scattering and Microdiffraction group to support the operation, development, and scientific program of the 34-ID-E beamline. The role includes developing X-ray microdiffraction methods and instrumentation, supporting user experiments and data interpretation, and conducting independent and collaborative research. The position also contributes to the beamline’s user community and shares research through publications and scientific conferences.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

X-Ray DiffractionCrystallographyMicrodiffractionMaterials CharacterizationSynchrotron X-Ray TechniquesExperimental MethodsScientific ProgrammingComputational SkillsData AnalysisExperimental WorkflowsInstrument ControlDiffraction Data InterpretationIndependent WorkCollaborationLaue DiffractionNanodiffractionSpatially Resolved Crystallographic CharacterizationX-Ray OpticsFocusing SystemsDetectorsPrecision InstrumentationBeamline SystemsCoherent X-Ray DiffractionX-Ray ScatteringX-Ray ImagingX-Ray Instrumentation DevelopmentData-Analysis Tool DevelopmentSynchrotron Experiment SupportInterpersonal SkillsOral CommunicationWritten Communication

Qualifications

Ph.D. In Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, or Related Field

Full job description

Lemont, IL USA

Full time

423541

The Surface Scattering and Microdiffraction (SSM) group in the X-ray Science Division of the Advanced Photon Source (APS) at Argonne National Laboratory seeks an Assistant Physicist to support the operation, development, and scientific program of the 34-ID-E beamline.

34-ID-E provides polychromatic and monochromatic micro- and nanofocused X-ray beams for spatially resolved studies of crystalline materials. Its core capability is 3D Laue microdiffraction, used to characterize crystal structure, orientation, strain, and microstructural evolution. The beamline also supports X-ray diffraction, fluorescence, and coherent X-ray techniques for materials research.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Support commissioning, operation, and continued development of the 34-ID-E beamline.

  • Develop advanced X-ray microdiffraction and microscopy methods, instrumentation, and scientific applications that take advantage of the upgraded APS source.

  • Support user experiments at 34-ID-E, including guidance on data analysis and interpretation.

  • Contribute to the growth of the beamline's user community.

  • Carry out independent and collaborative research and help expand scientific capabilities at 34-ID-E.

  • Publish and present research results in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific conferences.

  • May be required to perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

  • Ph.D. in physics, materials science, engineering, or a closely related field.

  • Knowledge of X-ray diffraction, crystallography, and microdiffraction, with applications to materials characterization.

  • Experience with synchrotron X-ray techniques and experimental methods.

  • Scientific programming and computational skills for data analysis, experimental workflows, or instrument control.

  • Ability to analyze and interpret diffraction and materials-characterization data.

  • Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a scientific team environment.

  • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork.

  • Interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, and ability to interact with people at all levels both within and outside the laboratory.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Experience

  • Experience with Laue diffraction, nanodiffraction, and spatially resolved crystallographic characterization.

  • Knowledge of X-ray optics, focusing systems, detectors, precision instrumentation, and beamline systems.

  • Experience with coherent X-ray diffraction, scattering, imaging, or related techniques.

  • Experience developing X-ray instrumentation, experimental methods, or data-analysis tools.

  • Experience supporting experiments at a synchrotron or other large-scale research facility.

Job Family

Research Development (RD)

Job Profile

Physics 2

Worker Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.

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 (https://www.anl.gov/hr/healthcare-insurance) 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.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Interested in translating science into innovation? Build your career at Argonne.

At Argonne, we view the world from a different perspective. Our scientists and engineers conduct world-class research in clean energy, the environment, technology, national security and more. We’re finding creative ways to prepare the world for a better future.

To learn more about Argonne's benefits programs, amenities, and other employee programs, visit our main Careers (http://www.anl.gov/careers) site.

To learn more about the exciting science going on at Argonne, visit our Science and Technology (http://www.anl.gov/argonnes-science-and-technology) page.

To request a reasonable accommodation or for other application support, contact us anytime at [email protected] or 630-252-2336.

How this job compares

Set against the 2,291 open Research Scientist jobs on Olive Jobs, counted October 29, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$94–147K/yr
  • Illinois median$125–142K/yr36 salary ranges
  • US median$150–228K/yr1,544 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $121K, is 3% below the Illinois median midpoint ($125K) — in the middle half of Research Scientist salary ranges in Illinois.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 43 open Research Scientist jobs in Illinois and 2,291 across the US. 3% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Illinois
Experience
Research Scientist postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years of experience at the median; the middle half ask for 2 to 6 years (1,263 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a doctorate or professional degree; 820 of the 2,291 open Research Scientist jobs (36%) ask for a doctorate or professional degree.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on October 29, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

Similar jobs, posted recently

Open roles like this one, listed in the last 30 days.

You've read the whole posting — now see how you match it.