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Assistant Beamline Scientist - In Situ Nanoprobe

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $94,486–$147,399 a year · Full time

Posted Jul 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you helped commission or start up a complex instrument.

What they are checking: Whether they can handle the problem solving and patience that commissioning a new beamline requires.

Describe how you have worked with engineers and other groups to develop new instrumentation.

What they are checking: Whether they collaborate well with technical teams to build methods together.

Tell me about a conference talk or paper where you presented your findings. What was the main takeaway?

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate research clearly to the wider scientific community.

What would you do

A battery or catalyst user wants to watch a reaction in real time. How would you design the experiment with them?

What they are checking: Whether they can turn a user's scientific question into a practical operando setup.

A sample environment fails in the middle of a user's beamtime. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can recover quickly, keep safety first and make the most of the remaining time.

What scientific areas would you most want to support with the ISN, such as energy, life or quantum science, and why?

What they are checking: Whether their interests line up with the research areas the Microscopy Group pursues.

About the work

What makes in situ and operando experiments at a nanoprobe harder than static measurements, and how do you plan for that?

What they are checking: Whether they understand sample environments, beam damage and time constraints for studies under real conditions.

How would you combine x-ray fluorescence, diffraction and imaging at the ISN to study one sample at several length scales?

What they are checking: Whether they can use the multi-scale and multi-modal capabilities that define this instrument.

How do you manage beam damage when a sample must be measured repeatedly over a long experiment?

What they are checking: Whether they think about dose and its effect on results, which matters more with the brighter upgraded source.

How do you analyze large multi-modal datasets so users leave with real scientific insight, not just raw files?

What they are checking: Whether they help users get from data to understanding, which the posting lists as a duty.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

The Microscopy Group of the X-ray Science Division (XSD) operates microprobe and nanoprobe beamlines with novel capabilities, develops advanced instrumentation and methods, and pursues collaborative research in the energy, life, materials, and quantum sciences. In particular, the In Situ Nanoprobe (ISN) at 19-ID is a state-of-the-art nanoprobe designed specifically for in situ/operando studies with multi-scale and multi-modality capabilities. We are seeking a highly motivated and talented scientist to join our ISN team. The ideal candidate will play a key role in developing and operating the ISN for world-class scientific applications, as well as developing advanced methods & instrumentation for the ISN. Responsibilities include : • Contribute to commissioning and operation of the ISN. • Collaborate with users to develop scientific applications and support user experiments, including x-ray data analysis to develop new insights and scientific knowledge. • Work with team members and other groups to develop advanced microscopy methods & instrumentation, targeting techniques using the upgraded APS source. • Present research findings at meetings, conferences, and journals. • May be required to perform other duties as assigned. Position Requirements • Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Bachelors and 5+ years’ experience, Masters and 3+ years’ experience, PhD and 0+ years’ experience, or equivalent. • Strong background in x-ray methods and techniques, including x-ray nanodiffraction, fluorescence, ptychography, spectroscopy, and tomography. • Experience in developing applications in energy, chemical, materials, or quantum science, and the associated in situ/operando sample environments are desirable. • Proficiency in deploying and developing relevant controls/analysis software and AI/ML tools. • In-depth knowledge of x-ray microscopy and associated instrumentation and methods. • Familiarity with x-ray optics and detectors, beamline controls, data acquisition and analysis, are highly preferred. • Ability to work independently as well as in a team-oriented 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. If you are a passionate and driven scientist with a track record of success, we encourage you to apply for this exciting opportunity. Please submit your resume and a cover letter detailing your qualifications for the role. 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 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.

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