University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: Academic Center: LLE-Laboratory for Laser Energ **Salary Range or Pay Grade** $115,000-180,000 **Description** The OPAL Science Team Lead will work with the various science teams associated with MTW OPAL and NSF OPAL, two state-of-the-art ultra-intense, short-pulse laser-plasma experimental systems, conceived to enable experiments at the frontiers of science. MTW-OPAL, an existing midscale laser system with its own experimental capability, serves as a prototype front end for NSF OPAL, a next-generation user facility currently in its design and planning stage that will be a prominent world-leading scientific capability for years to come. The OPAL Science Team is a diverse group of scientific and technical experts from the broader user community spanning US and foreign institutions in academia, national laboratories, and industry. The NSF OPAL teams comprise co-principal investigators (co-PIs), each of whom spearheads a frontier science working group (FSWG) representing fundamental science disciplines that will be advanced to new horizons by NSF OPAL. Each co-PI works closely with internal LLE senior personnel responsible for interfacing with the design and prototyping teams. The OPAL Science Team Lead will drive this engagement throughout the design process and provide expert guidance to ensure the NSF OPAL design meets relevant scientific goals. This position further offers a unique opportunity to work with and lead multidisciplinary teams of experimental and laser scientists, engineers, and operations staff to plan and execute experiments on MTW-OPAL and other high power laser facilities. These experiments will develop the scientific basis and grow the user community for NSF OPAL. The hands-on MTW-OPAL role will inform the NSF OPAL role, which would continue into a future construction project if initiated. A successful candidate will bring strong leadership, clear communication and create a vital link between the science and engineering teams. They must understand and translate complex experimental requirements into robust and executable experimental platform designs which integrate laser, experimental diagnostic, and target systems. The OPAL Science Team Lead position will exist in the Laser and Materials Technology Division at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics reporting to the NSF OPAL Project Director and working closely with the NSF OPAL project manager and the MTW-OPAL laser facility manager. RESPONSIBILITIES: + Gather, contribute, and translate complex scientific requirements to guide strategic decisions and engineering design efforts + Collaborate across diverse technical teams to ensure alignment of engineering design with scientific goals + Contribute to the experimental program, operation and management of the MTW-OPAL mid-scale laser system in a hands-on laboratory environment + Lead or support experiments at MTW-OPAL or other relevant facilities that serve to inform the development of experimental capabilities for NSF OPAL + Document and communicate complex ideas to a wide audience **Qualifications** + Candidates should demonstrate a willingness to engage with a broad spectrum of physics disciplines relevant to ultraintense lasers, as well as a strong passion for innovation and problem-solving at the forefront of science and technology. + A Ph.D. is required (a physics-oriented field is strongly preferred). + Candidates with equivalent experience and education will be considered. + Desire candidates that possess or able to get a security clearance **Application Instructions** Applicant should submit: + a cover letter + a curriculum vitae and a list of publications; + at least two letters of recommendation **SALARY RANGE:** $115,000 to $180,000 annually The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates are set within the job's compensation range, and determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations. **Equal Employment Opportunity Statement** EOE, including disability/protected veterans The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). 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