Detector Systems Specialist

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source Division (ALS)  has an opening for a Detector Systems Specialist to join the team.In this exciting role, you will be at the forefront of advancing detector technologies that power groundbreaking x-ray science. You’ll work closely with a multidisciplinary team to develop, integrate, and optimize state-of-the-art detector systems at one of the world’s leading synchrotron light sources contributing to research that spans materials science, energy, biology, and beyond.

The Advanced Light Source is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national scientific user facility that produces exceptionally bright soft and hard x-ray, ultraviolet, and infrared light. With a strong scientific reputation, expert staff, and advanced capabilities, the ALS attracts 1,600 academic and industrial users each year in condensed matter and quantum materials, energy sciences, biosciences, Earth and planetary sciences and more. 

The ALS is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serves 15,000 users annually. Co-located with the Molecular Foundry, NERSC supercomputing center, and Berkeley Lab's materials and chemical sciences programs, it provides an ideal collaborative environment for innovative scientific discoveries.  

The ALS is a global leader in soft x-ray science and is undergoing ALS-U, a large-scale upgrade project to a fourth-generation light source.  

This position can be hired at Level 3 or Level 4.

What You Will Do:

• Work with beamline, computing, and controls staff to develop solutions for the integration of state-of-the-art x-ray detectors. This includes building new software solutions (drivers, data management and visualization) and implementing existing software solutions with an emphasis on the EPICS industrial control system. 
• Maintain and upgrade detector systems to meet current and evolving needs. 
• Collaborate with technical and scientific support staff. 
• Practice Integrated Safety Management (ISM) in all aspects of your work. 
• Develop collaborations and partnerships with detector scientists at LBNL and other national labs; develop a professional network. 
• Act as a technical resource; evaluate different detector technologies and performance to advise scientists.
• Serve the broader scientific community. This could be by serving as an expert resource in scientific and technical areas. It could also be through serving on committees and working groups, or as a reviewer for publications, service on review or advisory committees, as an organizer at conferences or workshops, or chapters of scientific societies and as a mentor to junior staff. 
• Embrace and practice the concepts of Stewardship at LBNL. 
• Document and communicate your work, including publishing results in peer-reviewed scientific and technical journals and presenting findings at workshops and conferences. 
• Promote and adhere to the ALS core values—Safety, Integrity, Diversity, Dedication, Collaboration, and Innovation—in pursuit of the ALS mission: Advance science for the benefit of society by providing our world-class synchrotron light source capabilities and expertise to a broad scientific community. 
• Develop strategic and tactical plans in detector integration, control, and implementation. 
• Oversee and conduct detector R&D projects, as required. 
• May coordinate the activities of other personnel. 

The Level 4 responsibilities also Include:

• Supervise technical and scientific support staff; may supervise or lead other personnel. 
• Support in funding proposals.
• Exercises independent judgment in methods, techniques and evaluation criteria for obtaining results and acts independently to determine methods and procedures on new or special assignments.

What is Required:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent experience. 
• Experience managing or contributing to large-scale detector projects or collaborations
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team, including scientists, engineers, technical support staff, and collaborating scientists. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, enabling effective dissemination of scientific findings and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficient developing software controllers for detectors using the EPICS control interface. 
• Proficient developing software pipelines for data processing with high data rates and volumes. 
• Experience with high-throughput data acquisition systems and GPU-accelerated processing.
• Proficient in computing languages for software/hardware integration, data analysis, networking; specifically, Python and C/C++. 
• Proficient with Linux computer systems. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. 
• Strong documentation and communication skills

Additional Requirements for Level 4

• Typically requires a minimum of 12 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in relevant scientific or engineering discipline; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or equivalent experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficient with analog and digital signal acquisition and processing. 
• Proficient building or repairing detectors.
• Proficient in the design, implementation, testing, and utilization of detector systems and techniques. 
• Proficient interfacing between hardware developers and end-users. 
• Knowledge of high-speed networking. 
• Knowledge of edge computing technologies and methodologies.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by August 5, 2025.
• Appointment Type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary Information: 
  • If hired at a level 3: This position is expected to pay $129,948.00-$162,432.00, which fits within the full salary range of $129,948.00-$219,276.00 for the C76.3. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
  • If hired at a level 4: This position is expected to pay $147,984.00-$184,968.00, which fits within the full salary range of $147,984.00-$249,732.00 for the C76.4. Salary for this position will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification and experience, including skills, knowledge, relevant education, certifications, and aligned with the internal peer group.
• Background Check: This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work Modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. Starting May 7, a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Berkeley Lab is a University of California employer. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.