Technical Professional- Systems Integration & Operations for Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy

Requisition Id15891

Overview:

We are seeking a skilled technical professional to provide strategic, cross-cutting leadership in the integration, modernization, and operation of advanced Atomic Force Microscopy platforms within our research group. This role will serve as the central architect and steward of custom SPM control systems, enabling the seamless deployment of innovative hardware (including FPGA-based electronics and custom mechanical assemblies) and software solutions (LabVIEW, Python, and custom drivers) across multiple experimental platforms.

The core mission of this position is to design and implement next-generation experimental workflows that integrate instrument control, automation, data management, and advanced analytics, supporting the transition toward highly automated, AI-assisted, and increasingly autonomous research laboratories. This ensures cohesive growth of our in-house capabilities, accelerates scientific productivity, and enables reliable, reproducible, and user-friendly operation of the laboratory's world-class microscopy infrastructure. To this aim, TP will work directly with research staff in the Functional Atomic Force Microscopy group (and Data Nanoanalytics Group as needed) to develop, integrate and validate novel microscopy methods and extend our existing capabilities, as well as facilitating its deployment by maintaining up to date documentation, reports and technical notebooks. You will help support user activities within the CNMS User Program, including working directly with users to train them to use instruments safely and effectively and help solve technical issues.

This position resides in the Functional Atomic Force Microscopy Group in the Nanomaterials Characterization Section from the Center of Nanophase Materials Sciences, at the Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

System Integration, Digital Infrastructure, and Workflow Design

• Lead the integration of custom AFM hardware and software systems into a unified, modular, and scalable control architecture.
• Design, implement, and maintain standardized software frameworks and libraries to support multi-platform operation across all AFM systems.
• Architect end-to-end experimental workflows that integrate instrument control, data acquisition, processing, storage, and analysis.
• Develop automated and semi-autonomous measurement pipelines enabling high-throughput, reproducible, and adaptive experimentation.
• Establish data-flow architectures that support real-time feedback, metadata capture, provenance tracking, and long-term reproducibility.

Technical Leadership, Coordination, and Platform Stewardship

• Serve as the primary technical liaison between hardware developers, software engineers, data scientists, and scientific users.
• Coordinate parallel development efforts to ensure compatibility, sustainability, and adoption of best practices.
• Lead version control, validation, testing, and release management of shared instrumentation software.
• Maintain roadmaps for platform evolution, feature development, and infrastructure modernization.
• Promote collaborative development models, code review, and shared knowledge repositories.

AI-Enabled Instrumentation Design, Control Systems and Future Laboratory Development

• Design and implement mechanical, electromechanical, and electronic interfaces for advanced AFM capabilities.
• Develop user-friendly LabVIEW and Python interfaces for data acquisition, waveform generation, and closed-loop control.
• Support FPGA-based real-time control, firmware development, and hardware-software co-design.
• Lead the transition toward "laboratories of the future," incorporating autonomous measurement, smart scheduling, and cloud-enabled analysis platforms.
• Enable the integration of AI/ML-assisted tools for experiment planning and execution, parameter optimization and data interpretation into experimental workflows.
• Evaluate and implement emerging technologies in robotics, edge computing, and intelligent control for next-generation AFM systems.

Operational Support, User Engagement, and Laboratory Management

• Work with vendors and internal maintenance teams to ensure continuity of operations.
• Develop internal documentation, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides, providing advanced troubleshooting for hardware and software issues and promote collaborative code review and knowledge-transfer practices.
• Train new users and staff scientists on custom modes and operational procedures.
• Support the scientific user program including working directly with users on their user projects
• Serve as Lab Space Manager for designated CNMS laboratories, overseeing day-to-day operations, work authorization, and compliance with ES&H requirements.
• Maintain strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.

• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, physics, computer engineering, or related field
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree with a minimum of 4 years of experience, or a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computer Engineering, or related field

• Experience in research environments focused on advanced SPM or equivalent instrumentation
• Strong programming experience for developing custom algorithms (knowledge of programming in LabVIEW and Python environments), along with experience in AI/ML tools and workflows, including training and validating models and integrating ML-driven approaches into instrumentation or data-processing frameworks.
• Competence in real-time control, automation, and instrument firmware/software co-development, controlling National Instruments hardware, programming Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) systems, computer aided design (CAD) software).
• Experience in COMSOL modeling and design, including building Multiphysics simulations and translating results into practical engineering or instrumentation improvements.
• Experience supporting multiple stakeholders with diverse technical requirements.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Export control:

This position requires access to technology that is subject to export control requirements. Successful candidates must be qualified for such access without an export control license.

About ORNLL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email: ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.