Post-Baccalaureate Researcher

About the Role

Caltech's Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy (PMA) is seeking a full-time, nine-month term Post-Baccalaureate Researcher to support research in experimental astrophysics and advanced millimeter-wave (mm-wave) instrumentation. This position involves a range of testing and design work related to a terrestrial mm-wave imaging system. The imager consists of a 1.5-meter primary mirror on an altitude-azimuth mount and a large-format focal plane array of superconducting detectors operating within a sub-Kelvin cryogenic system. Efforts are underway to further characterize and optimize the performance of the existing system while pursuing major upgrades. The research program aims to advance new mm-wave technologies for imaging objects through optical obscurants in the atmosphere. This role offers hands-on research experience with state-of-the-art technology within a small, collaborative research team.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed characterization of the imager's point-spread function.
• Design and integrate new hardware to create synthesized images from a distributed-aperture optical system.
• Design and fabricate new optical components for laboratory-based testing of individual system components.
• Screen and assess the performance of new detector arrays.
• Operate the imaging system to collect and analyze new data.
• Develop optical and mechanical designs for new components and oversee their fabrication and installation.
• Operate cryogenic systems.
• Use Python-based tools to collect and analyze detector data.
• Perform additional research and technical tasks as needed.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a technical field such as Astronomy, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Sciences, or a related field, completed by the start date.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Python.
• Proficiency in optical design tools such as Zemax and FEKO.
• Proficiency in mechanical design tools such as SolidWorks.
• Experience with fabrication and rapid prototyping techniques.
• Experience with millimeter-wave (mm-wave) imaging systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with cryogenic systems, superconducting detectors, or experimental instrumentation in a laboratory or research setting.

Hiring Range

$20.00 - $27.00 Per Hour

Required Documents

• Resume