Postdoc

About the Role

The Optics and Spectroscopy Section at JPL is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to advance coronagraphic mask design and modeling for the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO). This research aims to enable the direct imaging of earth-like exoplanets.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent research on vector diffraction modeling of various coronagraphic masks.
• Validate mask models with laboratory experiments on the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) facility.
• Develop requirements on mask fabrication tolerances and materials for the HWO contrast budget.
• Perform coronagraphic mask optimization using algorithmic differentiation and other advanced methods.
• Utilize artificial intelligence tools to improve mask design and modeling processes.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in numerical optimization, optical design, optical modeling, microdevices fabrication, and coronagraph testbeds.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Experience in high-contrast imaging, optical modeling, optical instrumentation, wavefront correction, or related experimental research.
• Experience using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) software packages such as MEEP or Lumerical.
• Experience using clusters and GPUs for large computational tasks.
• Proficiency in scientific programming using Python, MATLAB, or similar programming languages.
• Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Optics, Astrophysics, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related field.

Additional Information

• Postdoctoral positions are awarded for a minimum of one year and may be renewed up to a maximum of four years.
• Applicants may be subject to additional program requirements by NASA.