AMO Department Head

The Science Research and Development (SRD) Division within the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is seeking a Department Head for Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science (AMOS). The AMOS Department Head leads a department of approximately five staff scientists and is responsible, together with the department, for defining and delivering the scientific impact of LCLS in AMO science. This is a pivotal and rare moment to shape the scientific direction of the facility. By Fall 2027, LCLS will complete the LCLS-II High Energy upgrade, an 8 GeV superconducting linear accelerator representing a multibillion-dollar investment in high-repetition-rate X-ray laser science and technology. Together with the existing copper linac, this will make LCLS a world-leading X-ray source in both peak and average brightness across wavelengths from 5 nm to 1 Å. LCLS is an internationally preeminent science facility, operated by Stanford University at SLAC on behalf of the Department of Energy, Office of Science. The facility provides world-leading scientific capabilities to a global user community across a broad research portfolio: understanding how energy and information are transformed and transported in systems relevant to microelectronics, catalysis, and quantum information science; revealing how atomic structure and dynamics influence disease and drug function. The SRD Division of LCLS comprises six departments, each aligned to a major research area - Bioscience, Materials Science, Chemical Science, Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science, Laser Science, and Matter in Extreme Conditions - to enable an integrated approach to the scientific exploitation of LCLS. The AMOS Department has been at the forefront of soft X-ray attosecond science and gas phase photochemistry. The orders-of-magnitude increase in repetition rate gives the department a unique opportunity to transform these science areas, together with the user community, through the investigation of weaker signals, more complex quantum systems, and unexplored X-ray interactions such as hard X-ray scattering. The department also has the opportunity to establish a world-leading user program around state-of-the-art coincidence spectroscopy capabilities enabled by the high-repetition rate FEL. The AMOS Department Head manages the scientific staff within the department and provides broader leadership to staff, students, and postdocs across SLAC, Stanford, and the wider community whose research is aligned with LCLS or where there is potential for future engagement. A key priority for the AMOS DH is to work closely with the Time-resolved AMO (TMO) Instrument Lead - who reports jointly to the AMOS Department Head and to the Operations Division - to ensure a high-impact general user science program at the TMO instrument. Additionally, the role includes supporting the career development of members of the department, outreach to the scientific community, lowering barriers for new users, and partnering with the Operations Division to facilitate successful experiments that ensure the most impactful use is made of the facility. Applications should include a cover letter, a statement of research interests with a summary of accomplishments, a curriculum vitae, and a list of publications. A list of at least three potential professional references, along with their current contact details should be included. For inquiries about the role please contact James Cryan (SRD Division Director, jcryan@slac.stanford.edu) Note: This is a regular-continuing position at the Lead Scientist level. Appointment at this level requires evaluation of the candidate's scientific achievements by a review committee. 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 AMO science area inside and outside of LCLS and SLAC.
• Work with the wider LCLS team and user community to identify prioritized research directions for AMO science 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 AMO 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.
• Generate and develop advanced scientific or technical capabilities in a broad field of knowledge for several applications, demonstrating a full grasp of related disciplines. Coordinate and collaborate with all Department Heads to understand how advances in measurement science prioritized within the AMO Department can be used to advance other areas of science at LCLS.
• Lead focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations with creativity and innovation.

Facility Operations:

• Support and optimize the scientific role of LCLS in the design, planning, safe execution, analysis, and publication of users' experiments.
• Work with the TMO Instrument Lead to ensure that the scientific priorities of the department are reflected in experiment planning and execution, and that instrument scientists are effectively engaged in delivering the experimental program.
• Coordinate with SRD and Operations 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 the TMO Instrument Lead to advance the TMO instrument development plan. This comprehensive roadmap spans charged particle spectroscopy method development, novel detector technology, and experimental tools for attosecond science and gas phase photochemistry. The AMOS Department Head ensures its alignment with the scientific strategy and evolving needs of the user community.
• Work with relevant Instrument Leads to advance hard X-ray AMO science opportunities.
• Work with SRD leadership and LCLS/SLAC management to plan, deliver, commission, and exploit facility developments, and establish appropriate mechanisms for oversight of optimized deployment, ongoing effectiveness, and future improvement.
• Engage the scientific community to build consensus on priorities and technical requirements for future TMO capabilities, including through workshops, user meetings, and sustained partnerships with national laboratories, universities, and the private sector.

Staff Development:

• Work with other Department Heads and the SRD Division Director to drive the continual development of in-house scientific excellence, innovation, and adventure in our scientific and technical staff.
• Ensure the AMOS 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.
• 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 opportunities for professional growth.
• Develop and promote a Department focused on staff development grounded in instrument, department, facility, and user program priorities.
• Support all aspects of hiring, performance management, and staff development.
• Manage research funding for the Department.
• Foster a highly collaborative, positive and respectful 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 Physics, Physical Chemistry, or a related relevant area of science and a minimum of 8 years of experience including:

• Experience leading and managing scientific projects and technical groups.
• Proven record of research achievements in AMO science or a closely related field, 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.
• Demonstrated excellence in communicating research progress to both internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective teams and to actively mentor staff.
• 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 SLAC's values of excellence, integrity, collaboration, respect, and creativity.
• 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 first mindset: Prioritizes collective and subordinate success over individual achievement and credit.
• 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

Summary:

Leader who has consistently demonstrated establishing or leading research programs, projects, groups, or mission critical systems that are essential to meeting the scientific and operational goals of the laboratory.

Scope of Impact:

Provides leadership identifying, promoting, and developing core laboratory capabilities, influencing future scientific or technical direction of the laboratory. Delivers research or technology objectives with high distinction.

Knowledge and Expertise:

Generates and develops advanced scientific or technical capabilities in a broad field of knowledge for several applications and has fully demonstrated grasp of related disciplines. Consistently leads focused research, technologies, design, or facility operations with creativity and innovation. Demonstrated excellence in communicating research progress to both internal and external audiences.

Directing Others/Supervision:

Demonstrated ability to build and lead effective teams and to actively mentor staff.

Program Development:

Generates new applications, programs or proposals and leads their development. Generates solutions to key technical or scientific challenges critical to program/project success.

Minimum Education and Experience Required:

PhD in applicable scientific discipline and 8 years of relevant experience