SEMFIB Laboratory Manager

We have an opening for a  SEM/FIB Laboratory Manager  to operate maintain and advance scanning electron microscopy focused ion beam and dual-beam FIB/SEM capabilities. You will support materials characterization sample preparation micromachining imaging and analytical research for a broad user community. This position is in the MicroAnalytical Signatures Group within the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will 

• Operate maintain troubleshoot and support SEM FIB and dual-beam FIB/SEM systems for imaging characterization micromachining cross-sectioning and sample preparation.
• Develop validate document and implement safe repeatable FIB/SEM workflows and preparation methods for complex scarce high-value time-sensitive radioactive or radiologically controlled samples.
• Perform manipulation recovery and characterization while ensuring compliant handling of radiologically controlled materials.
• Diagnose and resolve instrument software vacuum detector and sample-related issues; coordinate preventive maintenance repairs vendor support service contracts and laboratory readiness.
• Improve throughput reproducibility data quality automation traceability and accessibility through new capabilities image-analysis tools scripts and data-processing pipelines.
• Establish and maintain microscopy data-management practices including cataloging metadata provenance backups retrieval and long-term preservation.
• Manage laboratory operations documentation scheduling inventory user access safety and resource allocation.
• Train and assist users; provide technical consultation SOPs guides training materials and outreach to internal and external collaborators.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Independently lead complex SEM/FIB technical work involving ambiguous requirements competing priorities and multiple instrument sample workflow and data-quality considerations.
• Develop and implement innovative microscopy micromachining imaging and sample-preparation methods that expand laboratory capability.
• Set technical direction for major workflows including automation image analysis machine learning and microscopy data management.
• Serve as a technical authority on experiment design sample suitability analytical strategy capability investments and resolution of complex instrument or sample-related problems.
• Lead laboratory improvements and technology integration to increase throughput reproducibility reliability traceability and data quality.
• Develop advanced training SOPs qualification approaches and technical guidance; mentor users staff students and less-experienced personnel.
• Contribute to laboratory strategy capability planning technical prioritization and organizational program objectives.

Qualifications :

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. Citizenship.
• Bachelors degree in materials science physics engineering chemistry geology or a related technical field or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience operating SEM FIB and/or dual-beam FIB/SEM systems.
• Ability to apply established microscopy sample-preparation and analytical methods to moderately complex work.
• Ability to diagnose routine to moderately complex instrument software vacuum detector and sample issues.
• Ability to communicate technical recommendations clearly and work effectively with laboratory users and technical teams.
• Ability to train users on equipment operation laboratory safety and established procedures.
• Willingness and ability to work with radioactive and radiologically controlled materials in accordance with approved procedures training requirements and safety controls.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Significant hands-on experience operating and independently troubleshooting SEM FIB and/or dual-beam FIB/SEM systems.
• Advanced knowledge in a relevant microscopy or materials-characterization specialty.
• Demonstrated ability to independently develop validate and implement innovative FIB/SEM micromachining imaging or sample-preparation methods.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex technical issues involving multiple instrument sample workflow and data-quality factors.
• Experience establishing technical direction for laboratory workflows and advising users collaborators and management on complex technical approaches.
• Demonstrated experience developing training procedures and technical guidance for users and collaborators.
• Experience developing or integrating automation image analysis machine learning and data-management capabilities into microscopy workflows.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters degree or higher in materials science physics engineering chemistry geology or a related technical field.
• Experience handling delicate particulate valuable contaminated radioactive or radiologically controlled samples.
• Experience with particle manipulation or recovery of scarce bespoke or high-value samples.
• Experience developing or adapting microscopy micromachining imaging or sample-preparation methods.
• Experience with Python C# C image analysis automation databases or large-data workflows.
• Experience coordinating laboratory maintenance vendor service consumables safety documentation and shared-user laboratory operations.
• Experience developing or applying machine-learning approaches to microscopy image analysis or instrument automation.

Pay Range

$146340 - $185544 Annually for the SES.2 level 

$175530 - $222564 Annually for the SES.3 level 

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employees position within the salary range will be based on several factors including but not limited to specific competencies relevant education qualifications certifications experience skills seniority geographic location performance and business or organizational needs.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible  Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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  Remote Work :

  No

  Employment Type :

  Full-time

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