NCEM High Resolution Scientific Engineering Associate

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is hiring a NCEM High Resolution Scientific Engineering Associate within the Molecular Foundry division. The Molecular Foundry is seeking an experienced electron microscopy professional to support cutting-edge materials research using advanced TEM and STEM techniques. In this highly collaborative role, the successful candidate will work directly with researchers from around the world, providing hands-on instrument training, experimental guidance, sample preparation support, and data analysis expertise. The position also contributes to instrument maintenance, troubleshooting, and development of new microscopy capabilities, including automated and high-throughput workflows. It offers a unique opportunity to combine advanced scientific instrumentation expertise with collaborative research at a leading national laboratory user facility.

You will:

Hands-on User Support

• Advise, assist and train users on Thermo Fischer and JEOL platform electron microscopes utilizing the following techniques: TEM, STEM, 4D-STEM, ptychography, EDS, EELS, cryo and in-situ techniques.
• Advise, assist and train users on sample preparation techniques.
• Manage a portfolio of user projects as the Assigned Scientist which involves: proposal review, experimental design, instrument training, managing Lab access and on-site visits, and serving as the point-of-contact for user projects.
• Collaborate with scientific users and facility staff to identify opportunities to improve instrument utilization, experimental efficiency, and data acquisition workflows.

Facility Maintenance and Management

• Participate in maintaining and troubleshooting TEMs and other tools in the facility.
• Coordinate vendor service calls for equipment repair, including scheduling, site access, and safety management.
• Contribute to updating and writing standard operating procedures for equipment operation and data analysis workflows.
• Oversee and review all new work for hazards and maintain a safe work environment.
• Help write and maintain safety documents and training related to users and vendors.
• Assure that accessories like TEM holders, sample preparation tools, and computers are available for daily experiments.
• Facilitate the organization and maintenance of lab spaces for efficient and safe operation.
• Coordinate and assist in purchase of lab consumables and equipment repair.

Foundry Division Service and Operations

• Lead or contribute to development projects intended to establish new user capabilities.
• Actively serve on committees in service to LBNL as needed (for example, Safety Committee).
• Cross-train on other Molecular Foundry equipment to support other user instruments as necessary.
• Collaborate with other Molecular Foundry staff to grow capabilities for the user program and to help users build collaborations within the larger community.

We are looking for:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent training in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related discipline, paired with extensive practical work operating electron microscopes within a technical research setting.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work with NCEM users from a wide range of backgrounds and differing levels of technical expertise and experience to provide guidance on experimental procedures, instrument operation, and data interpretation.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience operating transmission electron microscopes (TEM) or scanning transmission electron microscopes (STEM), including acquiring and evaluating high-resolution electron microscopy data.
• Hands-on experience acquiring, processing, and interpreting transmission electron microscopy data with at least 1 of the following 3 techniques: energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), TEM energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (STEM-EDS), or 4D-STEM.
• Hands-on experience preparing materials science specimens for TEM analysis, including selecting and applying sample preparation methods appropriate to the material and experimental objectives.
• Experience identifying, diagnosing, and resolving technical problems involving transmission electron microscopes, including evaluating possible causes and suggesting appropriate corrective actions.
• Demonstrated respect for a positive safety culture.

Desired skills/knowledge:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, or a related scientific or technical field, with research experience involving advanced electron microscopy or materials characterization.
• Hands-on experience operating aberration-corrected TEM or STEM instruments for high-resolution or atomic-resolution imaging, including optimizing experimental conditions and interpreting results.
• Experience with 4D-STEM, electron ptychography, electron tomography, or other advanced STEM techniques.
• Experience contributing to multidisciplinary research projects, including mentoring, training, or providing technical guidance to students, researchers, or scientific collaborators.
• Demonstrated track record of authorship or co-authorship of peer-reviewed scientific publications.
• Experience independently coordinating or leading scientific or technical projects, including establishing experimental approaches, managing project milestones, interpreting results, and providing subject-matter expertise to collaborators.
• Experience developing, implementing, or operating automated, robotic, or high-throughput workflows for scientific instrumentation, data acquisition, or materials characterization.
• Experience applying computational tools, scientific software, or simulation techniques to process, analyze, interpret, or model electron microscopy data.

Additional information:

• Application date: Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by December 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the job posting is removed.
• Appointment type: This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• Salary range: The expected salary for this position is $116,352 - $135,000, which fits into the full salary of $103,416 - $174,528 depending upon the candidate's skills, knowledge, and abilities. This includes education, certifications, and years of experience.
• Background check: This position is 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. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• Work authorization: Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

We're here for the same mission, to bring science solutions to the world. Join our team and YOU will play a supporting role in our goal to address global challenges! Have a high level of impact and work for an organization associated with 17 Nobel Prizes!

Why join Berkeley Lab?

We invest in our employees by offering a total rewards package you can count on:

• Exceptional health and retirement benefits, including pension or 401K-style plans
• Opportunities to grow in your career - check out our Tuition Assistance Program
• A culture where you'll belong - we are invested in our teams!
• In addition to accruing vacation and sick time, we also have a Winter Holiday Shutdown every year.
• Parental bonding leave (for both mothers and fathers)
• Pet insurance

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.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.